The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on all seven counts of terrorism offences brought against him by the Federal Government.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the prosecution’s evidence stood “uncontroverted,” noting that Kanu failed to open his defence within the time allotted by the court. With no defence presented, the judge ruled that the facts and exhibits tendered by the prosecution were deemed admitted.
Kanu had argued that the charges were invalid because they were framed under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act of 2013. The court, however, dismissed this argument, stating that the legal foundation of the charges remained sound and that the defendant’s refusal to defend himself did not invalidate the proceedings.
The conviction marks a significant development in the long-running legal battle between the Federal Government and the embattled IPOB leader. Sentencing is expected to follow in a separate hearing.
