The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.

This is according to a judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

According to the judge, “the convict has not acted well throughout the proceedings, stressing that he had caused unnecessary delay in the proceedings.

He further expressed that the court will not consider the contempt in court committed by the IPOB leader while delivering his verdict.

Omotosho said, “The court is only being merciful to Kanu because we are joined by our lord Jesus Christ to be merciful. Kanu has not shown any remorse; he is arrogant, cocky and unruly. I will temper justice with mercy.

Justice Omotosho pronounced other verdicts as follows: in respect to count 3, he sentenced Kanu to 20years imprisonment, for count 7 sentence he sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment with no option of fine for both.

The sentence shall run concurrently.

Omotosho said Kanu must be kept in a suitable facility as he has violent tendencies, which he also displayed in open court.

The judge further declared that the convict must not be allowed any digital devices, and if he must, it must be closely monitored by the National Security Adviser.

The court ordered that the convict be kept in any protective custody in any part of the country.

Omotosho further quoted a bible verse saying, “Matthew Chapter 23 of the holy Bible in which it preaches mercy.”

Earlier, the court convicted the separatist leader on charges related to “terrorism” after a years-long trial.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said prosecutors proved that Kanu’s broadcasts and orders to his now-banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group incited deadly attacks on security forces and citizens in the southeast.

“His intention was quite clear, as he believed in violence. These threats of violence were nothing but terrorist acts,” Omotosho said.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but left the country in 2017 while on bail after a military raid on his home. His bail was later revoked in 2019.

In 2021, he was rearrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria, though his lawyers claimed he was mistreated before his transfer — an allegation Kenya denied

During his time abroad, Kanu regularly used social media and Radio Biafra broadcasts to criticise the Nigerian government. Officials said his messages encouraged attacks on security agencies.

He pleaded not guilty in 2021 to seven charges, including terrorism, treason, and spreading false information about former President Muhammadu Buhari.