Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was found guilty of terrorist charges on Thursday. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has revealed why he chose to give Kanu a life sentence rather than the death penalty.
The court stated that although Nnamdi Kanu’s punishment was death, he had to exercise mercy due to the precepts of the Holy Book.
He claims that while religious beliefs also support mercy, the death penalty is progressively being eliminated in many nations.
Quoting a portion of the book of Matthew, Justice Omotosho pointed out that Jesus Christ taught His followers to show mercy.
Justice Omotosho further held that Kanu’s confinement must be in a facility suitable for his status, noting that the Kuje Correctional Centre would not achieve the intended purpose of the sentence.
He ordered that the IPOB leader be placed in protective custody at any secure location in the country.
The court also ruled that Kanu must not have access to electronic devices unless under strict monitoring by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
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In addition, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the transmitter used for Kanu’s broadcasts to the Federal Government, adding that other equipment linked to the case would also be confiscated if no appeal is filed.
In October, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had stated that he is prepared to testify if called upon by the court in the current trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
His remark came after Kanu informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his intention to begin his defence on October 24, 2025, in a motion he filed there on Tuesday.
Wike, former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), and former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd) are among the 23 witnesses the IPOB leader said he planned to summon.
However, Wike underlined that he had not received any legal notification from the court and had not asked to be named as a witness. He stated that he would only show up upon official summons.
“If you see Nnamdi Kanu, you ask him why he listed me. I did not go to him to say I want to be a witness; you are the one saying that. So, if you see him, ask him why did you list Wike as one of your witnesses?
“You don’t become a witness by reading a newspaper. Nobody has served me process; nobody has subpoenaed me.
“So, because I saw Wike has been listed, therefore, I begin to run helter-skelter. No, you do not do that. If I am served, if I am subpoenaed to come and give witness, or to give evidence, I must obey the court, I must appear,” he said
