The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all seven counts bordering on terrorism and related offences.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso said Kanu’s actions, including inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home directives, posed serious threats to national security. The judge, who had previously cautioned the IPOB leader over what he described as disruptive behaviour in court, delivered the verdict in Kanu’s absence.

Justice Omotoso imposed life sentences on counts one, four, five and six, explaining that although the law prescribes the death penalty for such offences, the court chose life imprisonment because “life is sacred to God.”

Kanu was also sentenced to 20 years in prison on count three and an additional three years on count seven.