The Federal Government has moved to secure the death penalty for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, after the Federal High Court in Abuja found him guilty on seven terrorism charges on Thursday, November 20.
Justice James Omotoso delivered the verdict, stating that the prosecution had successfully established its case “beyond reasonable doubt,” leaving Kanu convicted on all counts brought against him.
Once the judgment was pronounced, the government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to impose the harshest punishment permitted under Nigerian law for the offences.
Awomolo told the court, “My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence.
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“The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death.”
He further argued, “With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard.
“The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”
After his submission, Justice Omotoso paused proceedings and announced a recess, adding that the court would reconvene at 3:50 p.m.
The judge is expected to decide on the appropriate sentence once the session resumes.