The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death penalty on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction on seven counts of terrorism on Thursday.
Justice James Omotosho, while delivering the judgment, ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt, finding him guilty on all seven charges.
Immediately after the conviction was pronounced, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty prescribed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Awomolo reminded the court that the law mandates a death sentence for several of the offences Kanu was convicted of.
“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 submitted.
“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.”
Afterwards, the judge announced a recess, stating that the court would reconvene at 3:50 p.m.
Justice Omotoso is expected to announce the sentencing decision after considering the submissions of both parties.
