The Federal Government has called for the death penalty for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, following his conviction on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had “proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” convicting Kanu on all charges brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Following the conviction, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo, urged the court to impose the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence. The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death,” Awomolo told the court.
He emphasized that the court has no discretion in the matter, adding, “With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard. The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Omotosho adjourned briefly, stating that the court would reconvene at 3:50 p.m. to deliver the sentencing decision.
