Terrorism: Kanu sentenced to life imprisonment, found guilty of all seven counts

•Found guilty of all seven counts

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been sentenced to life imprisonment on offences bordering on terrorism.
The Federal Government through the Department of State Service(DSS), prosecuted Kanu on a seven-count charge of terrorism and other offences.
Breaking down the sentences, the trial judge, Justice James Omotoso commited Kanu to life imprisonment on count one, two, four, five and six of the seven-count charge.
On count three which is an offences of belonging to a proscribed terrorist group, the court sentenced Kanu to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
On count seven, bordering on his unlawful importation of a radio transmitter for the purpose of furthering the clandestine activities of Radio Biafra, which is not registered in Nigeria, the court sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The judge noted that the convict had been unruly all through the trial, said the law allowed the court to sentence him to death for the terrorism offences, but that as a Christian, chose to be merciful to him.
Consequently, the court ordered that the convict be kept in a protective custody in any part of the country, but not in Kuje prison, Abuja.
The court also ordered that the Radio Transmitter be for forfeited to the federal government.
Earlier in the judgement, the court held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Kanu commited the crime of terrorism brought against him by the federal government.
The judge said the court has no option than to believe the evidence as led by the prosecution since the defendant failed to enter his defence, but chose to gamble by resting his case on that of the prosecution.
In count one and two which bothers on terrorism, court found Kanu guilty of violating of sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Prohibition and Prevention Act 2013 which carries death sentence.
Justice Omotosho held that the threats of violence and killings, including the declaration of sit at home in the South East states, in his many broadcasts constitute acts of terrorism.
The court held that Kanu breached the terrorism law in several broadcasts he made in which he threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria and promoted the break away of the South East region from Nigeria to form Biafra nation.
In a judgment on Thursday, Kanu was said to have made it clear that Somalia will be a paradise unless the Biafra nation is granted.
According to the judgement, Kanu had in one of the interviews he granted Sahara Television, the convict was said that nothing will be living in a zoo called Nigeria by the time he executed his secession threat.
He also said that the only language people in the zoo (Nigeria) understand is violence and will be given to them.
In the interview, Kanu who claimed to be founder and Director of Radio and Television of Biafra made a broadcast to the effect that the Army of Nigeria will die. Everything call Nigeria will perish in Biafra.
At Igbo World Congress in the United States of America, Kanu also stated at the occasion that there will be blood boom. America will give us guns and bullets. We are ready to perish unless they give us Biafra.
Justice Omotosho in the judgment said that the allegations against Kanu were proved beyond reasonable doubt going by avalanches of exhibits tendered against him.
The Judge held that the convict did not help the matter when he bluntly refused to enter defense in the charges against him.
According to the Judge, Kanu knew what he was doing while making the reckless violent statements in his numerous broadcast.
In count three, four, five, the court held that the prosecution led credible evidence to establish that Kanu belonged to IPOB which had been proscribed and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The judge also held that the prosecution proved that, by his many broadcasts, he incited his followers to violence which resulted in the killing of security personnel and destruction property, including police stations across the country.