Nnamdi Kanu (in white turtle neck shirt) in court on October 23
A federal high court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism charges.
James Omotosho, presiding judge, found the IPOB leader guilty on all seven counts preferred against him.
The court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Omotosho held that Kanu was never denied fair hearing as the defendant claimed. Rather, the judge said Kanu offered no credible defence and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.
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On the issue of inadequate facilities to prepare for his defence, the court held “that there is nothing to show that he was denied adequate facility to prepare for his defence”.
On the issue of extraordinary rendition from Kenya, the court said the convict failed to call witnesses to give oral evidence on oath to that claim.
The court also held that Kanu’s claim that the trial was unlawful and in disobedience of the orders of an appellate court did not stand.
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Omotosho said although the supreme court acknowledged that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition to Nigeria was “unfair and oppressive”, the apex court also ruled that it does not invalidate his trial for the alleged offences.
“While extraordinary rendition measures may seem illegal on the face of it, the way and manner in which the attendance of a defendant is secured does not vitiate his trial,” the judge ruled.
The judge convicted and sentenced the separatist agitator to life imprisonment on counts 1,2,4,5, and 6.
On count 3, Kanu got a 20-year sentence, while he was sentenced to five years on count 7.
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