The Federal Government on Thursday asked the Federal High Court to impose the death penalty on detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, shortly after he was convicted on all seven terrorism charges filed against him.
The request was made by the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who argued that Kanu’s actions and broadcasts directly fueled deadly attacks on security personnel and destruction of public and private infrastructure in the South-East.
He maintained that both the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), acted under Kanu’s direction with the intention of destabilising the country.
Awomolo said the “maximum sentence” was necessary to deliver justice to the victims of the violence linked to Kanu’s incitement.
He told the court that five of the charges, Counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, carry the death penalty, Count 3 prescribes a 20-year jail term, while Count 7 attracts a five-year sentence.
“My lord should consider the nature and gravity of the acts of terrorism committed by the convict, which were targeted at innocent Nigerians in the South-East,” the senior lawyer submitted.
The prosecution further accused Kanu of showing no remorse during the proceedings, describing his demeanour in court as “arrogant” and unrepentant.
The Federal Government also asked the court to order the forfeiture of all broadcast equipment seized from Kanu and to limit his access to digital devices and internet facilities during his time in custody.
For security reasons, it urged the court not to remand him at the Kuje Correctional Facility, citing previous jailbreaks at the prison.
Before the court temporarily stood down the matter to await sentencing at 4:10 p.m., a member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, pleaded for leniency, urging the court to temper justice with mercy.
The judgment marks the conclusion of a trial that has stretched for more than a decade.
