ABUJA: Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has labelled the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, an “international terrorist after reviewing evidence linking him to threats against foreign diplomatic missions and officials.
Delivering judgment on count six of the terrorism charges on Thursday, the judge said Kanu’s threats to bomb the United States Embassy in Nigeria and attack the former British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, placed him beyond the category of a local agitator.
According to Justice Omotosho, the IPOB leader’s statements, broadcast to his followers, demonstrated violent intent and constituted acts of terrorism under Nigerian law.
The defendant is not only a confirmed local terrorist; I hold, without hesitation, that he is an international terrorist.
His threats against the British High Commission, the American Embassy, and his incitement against Catriona Laing, a known woman of peace, clearly establish this,” the judge ruled.
He noted that Kanu’s directive to graduates of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry to produce Molotov cocktails further proved his involvement in acts aimed at destabilizing the country and endangering lives.
Quoting from a broadcast aired on October 21, 2020, the judge said Kanu openly instructed his followers to attack military and police convoys, describing security agents as enemies who “also bleed.”
In the broadcast, Kanu reportedly said: I am telling you people to go to the bush. Wherever you see a military convoy, you attack them.
Whenever you see a police convoy, attack them. They are human beings and they also bleed. Anyone in a police or army uniform is your enemy.
Justice Omotosho said such statements, especially those targeting international protected persons like ambassadors and high commissioners, attract life imprisonment under the law.
He added that ignoring these threats could have triggered diplomatic crises between Nigeria and partner nations, potentially harming international relations.
Bombing or attacking embassies is not consistent with any legitimate claim of self-determination,he said.
These acts demonstrate beyond doubt the criminal and terrorist tendencies of the defendant.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved the allegations against Kanu, leading to his conviction on the relevant counts.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021 following his controversial rearrest abroad.
His trial has faced multiple delays, with his legal team insisting that his rendition and prolonged detention violate both domestic and international legal standards.
