Nnamdi Kanu Escapes Death Penalty, Bags Life Imprisonment For Terrorism Offences

 

The judge, in a display of compassion, chose to sentence Kanu to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, emphasising the sanctity of life and the global trend of opposing capital punishment.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment over terrorism offences.

Kanu stood trial for seven-count charges of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government. Delivering judgement on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Justice James Omotosho pronounced the Biafran agitator convicted on all charges.

Despite the potential for a death sentence on counts one, four, five, and six, the judge upheld the law and sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment, demonstrating a commitment to justice.

He held that the prosecution had successfully established every allegation, while the defendant offered no credible defence and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.

The judge added that the IPOB leader was “a person who cannot be allowed to remain in the company of sane minds,” while describing him as an “international terrorist.”

“I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of a death sentence,” Omotosho ruled.

“With respect to Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of a fine.

“For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine. To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”

On his decision not to hand the convict a death penalty, the judge cited a biblical verse that espouses the virtue of mercy, coupled with the fact that capital punishment is now being frowned upon by the international community.

FG Pleads For Death Penalty For Kanu

The Nigerian government had earlier demanded the imposition of death sentence on Nnamdi Kanu following his conviction on terrorism charges.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, informed the court that the sections of the law under which Kanu was charged and convicted carried death sentence without any option.

Addressing the court after the pronouncement, the senior lawyer said the court has no discretion to exercise than to impose maximum punishment on him in line with the dictates of the law.

Awomolo held that Kanu throughout the trial did not show remorse for the offences he committed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria but chose to be militant, arrogant and unruly in his attitude.

He also demanded that all properties seized from Kanu be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The prosecution counsel equally demanded that Kanu be taken to prison where his security will be guaranteed till when the judgment against him would be executed.