By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
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 brought against him, prompting the federal government to immediately demand the death penalty.
Delivering the long-awaited judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on every charge.
Moments after the conviction was pronounced, Awomolo urged the court to impose the maximum punishment prescribed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
He told the court that counts one, two, four, five and six carry a mandatory death sentence, leaving the judge with no discretion under the law.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the proceedings for a short recess and is scheduled to reconvene at 3:50 p.m. to deliver the sentence after hearing final submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
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