Cynthia Ezegwu
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday described the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as an “international terrorist,” citing alleged threats to bomb the United States Embassy in Nigeria and attack a former British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing.
The judge made the pronouncement while delivering judgment on count six of the terrorism charges filed against Kanu. He held that evidence presented in court, including several broadcasts credited to Kanu, established conduct capable of triggering international diplomatic crises.
“The defendant is not only a confirmed local terrorist, but I hold, without hesitation, that he is an international terrorist,” Justice Omotosho said. He referenced threats allegedly made by Kanu against the British High Commission and the American Embassy, as well as inciting statements urging attacks on military and police convoys.
Quoting a broadcast from October 21, 2020, the judge said Kanu instructed his followers “to go to the bush” and attack any security convoy they encountered, describing security personnel as enemies who “also bleed.” Justice Omotosho also noted Kanu’s call for graduates of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry to produce Molotov cocktails, which he said amounted to an act of terrorism.
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He stressed that threats against foreign envoys and diplomatic missions constituted serious offences punishable by life imprisonment under Nigerian law. “Leaving the defendant to continue his terrorist activities would have led to an international incident involving Nigeria and foreign nations,” the judge stated.
Justice Omotosho subsequently ruled that the prosecution had proved its case on the relevant counts and convicted Kanu accordingly.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, when he was rearrested abroad and returned to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism, treasonable felony and incitement. His trial has faced several adjournments, with his legal team repeatedly arguing that his extraordinary rendition and prolonged detention violate Nigerian and international legal standards.