Nnamdi Kanu incited killing of security operatives — says Court, convicts him on 4th and 5th counts

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was on Thursday afternoon convicted on fourth and fifth counts of terrorism by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

This time, his offence, according to Justice Omotosho, was inciting people to attack and kill security operatives.

He had earlier convicted the separatist leader on the first three counts that included belonging to a terrorist organisation and enforcing the weekly sit-at-home in the South-East.

Justice Omotosho is still ruling on the two other charges, all of which also carry a maximum of death sentence. Justice Omotosho is expected to announce Nnamdi Kanu’s sentence later.

Before announcing the conviction, Justice Omotosho accused Kanu – who was earlier ejected from court for opposing his impending judgement – of being unruly and disrespecting the court.

He said that the rudeness of the IPOB Leader climaxed with his disruption of the court’s proceedings.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his controversial interception and return to Nigeria from Kenya in circumstances his lawyers describe as “extraordinary rendition”.

Kanu is entitled to challenge Omotosho’s ruling at the appellate court.