Mixed reactions have continued to trail the conviction and sentencing of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life improvement on terrorism charges.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Thursday, delivered the verdict on Kanu four years after he was arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria where he has been in the detention of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
He was subsequently charged with seven counts bordering on terrorism and after a lot of twists and turns and several court appearances, he was finally sentenced to life imprisonment.
While delivering judgement in Kanu’s absence after the IPOB leader insisted that the judgement would not be delivered in the terrorism charge the Federal Government entered against him, Justice Omotosho stated that several broadcasts by Kanu, through Radio Biafra, constituted acts of terrorism, adding that his rhetoric and intention were anchored on violence.
He also asserted that Kanu’s sit-at-home order in South-Eastern states amounted to terrorism, stressing that the order violated South-easterners’ freedom of movement, maintaining that the IPOB leader lacked the constitutional power to order people to sit at home.
According to Omotosho, from the evidence before the court, Kanu carried out preparatory terrorism via his broadcasts through which he ordered the killing of police and military officers and was found guilty of committing acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Omotosho added that Kanu didn’t show any remorse for his actions throughout the trial, and had “remained arrogant, corky and full of himself without realising the magnitude of his crime and the effects of what he has done against his people in the South-East.”
Having convicted Kanu of all counts, the presiding judge said he opted for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, the judge said:
“The death penalty globally is now being frowned upon by the international community, Consequently, in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for the said count one, four, five and six.”
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However, the sentence has continued to elicit diverse opinions across social media platforms as many Nigerians and international observers have either knocked or supported that judgement.
Those who are against it claim it is a travesty of judgement while those in support believe it was the right decision by the court.
Shortly after the verdict, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore took to his official Facebook page to condemn the ruling.
“Don’t cry for Nnamdi Kanu. Cry for those who, from East to West, North to South, conspired to betray the cause of justice. Cry for those who celebrate injustice, thinking it strengthens their hand. We have been here before and history teaches that they have never won in the end.” – Sowore
In another post on X, Sowore said:
“On November 5th, 2025, I publicly warned that the verdict in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case had already been decided by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime. Today, they executed that script word for word.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and based on credible information I received directly from individuals within the regime, this was my submission at the time:
“For the avoidance of doubt and to alert the public, it has become clear that a secret decision has long been reached within the @officialABAT regime regarding the fate of @MaziNnamdiKanu. The plan, devised through a high-level political conspiracy, is to either sentence him to death or condemn him to life imprisonment.
“This outcome, predetermined far in advance, is now being dressed up in the guise of judicial procedure. Justice James Omotosho is expected to conclude Kanu’s trial by declaring that his refusal to open his defence amounts to an admission of guilt—a convenient interpretation designed to seal a verdict already agreed upon behind closed doors.
“The ruling is anticipated this November, a month that bears a haunting historical precedent. It was in November 1995 that the military tribunal of General Sani Abacha sentenced Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists to death, a sentence carried out with ruthless precision.
“Today, three decades later, Nigeria stands at the same moral crossroads. Only the year has changed; this is 2025, not 1995, but the machinery of repression grinds on.
‘The trial of Nnamdi Kanu has ceased to be about justice; it is now a test of conscience for the Nigerian state and its citizens alike.
“What we witnessed today was not justice, it was the execution of a political decision already taken long before the court sat, long before arguments were heard, and long before any evidence was considered. Nigeria must decide what kind of nation it wants to be. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.” – Sowore
In his reaction to the judgement, Deacon Nick Donnelly, a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Lancaster and human rights activist, described it as scandalous and another measure of gagging Nigerians who raise their voices against the government.
“Scandalous censorship of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Nigerian security agents have stopped Mazi Nnamdi Kanu giving his final address to the court This is a show trial. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will not receive justice. Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, free Biafra. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been falsely convicted of terrorism @MaziNnamdiKanu
“This has been nothing but a show trail, a travesty of jurisprudence. Witnesses have lied, due process has not been observed, legality trampled underfoot. All tyrannical governments imprison their political opponents, thereby destroying democracy. Free @MaziNnamdiKanu, free Biafra.” – Donnelly
A former legal counsel to Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor had this to say:
“The verdict & the sentence today will not stand. MAZI NNAMDI KANU is not a terrorist. NDIGBO are not terrorists. We all know who the real terrorists are and luckily, the Americans know them too.It’s Ndigbo that got sentenced to life imprisonment, not Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Let that sink in.” – Ejimakor
For human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, the verdict was another classic show of Nigeria happening to a citizen.
“Nigeria has happened to Nnamdi Kanu but MAY NIGERIA NOT HAPPEN TO YOU. You may rejoice today because of tribal or ethnic sentiments, but as long as you live in Nigeria, nothing is guaranteed. We are all victims.
“They are already attacking my village in Kogi & some other people’s villages in Kwara; yours may be next. No one is safe in Nigeria. Kanu wrong on the way he went about some things but he did not deserve this.
“Mazi Kanu kept in custody for years for demanding for Biafra but those killing thousands of citizens and security officials are pampered and rehabilitated. Let us tell ourselves the truth for once in this country, look at the way these terrorists are killing citizens all over the place. They are now moving to southern Nigeria in full force. My zone, the North Central almost conquered.” – Adeyanju
In a statement late Thursday, the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said:
“Is it not an irony that negotiations and peace deals with rampaging terrorists in the North East, North West were gleefully initiated by the local government, states and Federal Government, just like the amnesty to ex-militants in the South South, who were rewarded with lucrative oil pipeline contracts. This is to say that justice in Nigeria is not for the South East.
“So we are not surprised. Our people can only endure and hope for a time when justice in Nigeria would become the sine qua non.
“We have done our best, we have variously made the case for the authorities to be circumspect and at least accede to pardon for the sake of unity and inclusiveness.”
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But former aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad was full of praises for Justice Omotosho for having the courage to sentence Kanu, claiming that the IPOB leader got what he deserved.
“The bold judgment delivered against Nnamdi Kanu today will undoubtedly send a strong and clear message to all terrorists terrorizing our country that, one by one, they will eventually be caught and met the judgment they deserve.” – Ahmad
Nollywood actor, Fred Ebere, however, blamed Igbo leaders for not standing up for Kanu.
“We, the Igbo people, are our own problem in Nigeria. Our governors, senators, politicians, and elites have failed us. I expected a strong outcry from our leaders over the sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but they have all remained silent. Yoruba leaders fought for the release of Sunday Igboho, and Northern leaders openly defend bandits. But Igbo leaders have abandoned their own.”
In his reaction, social critic, VeryDarkMan described the sentencing of Kanu as a distraction.
‘MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s SENTENCE IS A DISTRACTION….only a delusional person was hoping he would walk freely…… @officialasiwajubat 38 people that were kdn@99d from CAC in kwara state are being asked to 100 million naira each for their released making it 3.8 billion naira all together…. @officialasiwajubat ARE YOU STILL ALIVE.” – VDM
An X user with the handle General_Somto had this to say:
“Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment, REMAIN BELLO TURJI NOW! Kanu was outside Nigeria, yet they caught him when they really wanted him. But Bello Turji is in Nigeria, killing innocent people, yet he’s still arrested. If they truly want to end insecurity, they will!” – General_Somto
Other X users also had their opinions aired.
“How can I explain this? The presidency organized rehabilitation for Boko Haram who’ve caused terror & killed thousands, including women & children, also cleared them to join the army. But sentences Nnamdi Kanu to death for fighting to protect his people against same terrorist!!” – MFaarees
“Nnamdi Kanu has been sentenced to life imprisonment, but an ISWAP leader was only jailed 20 years for terrorism offenses. Justice indeed.” – AnonXNG
“Nnamdi Kanu has been convicted of terrorism charges, but Sunday Igboho is a free man.
“Sheik Gumi (who is the unofficial spokesman of terrorists) is free. He is advocating for amnesty for terrorists, & having meetings with them. Are you happy with the selective judgement?” – DanielRegha
“The Sentence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by Justice Omotosho has done nothing but re-established and re-confirm the Igbo hate. There will be a time, when these Sins against the Igbo man will be revisited.” – Firstladyship
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu stood for Igbos. He stood against the injustice unleashed on Igbo people by Fulani Herdsmen. Even though you may disagree with his approach, it doesn’t warrant “life imprisonment. This is an injustice!” – GeneralSnow
“It is troubling to witness selective enforcement of the law.
While some individuals face the full weight of prosecution, others, despite clear involvement in violent activities, remain free, and some even openly advocate for extremist causes. True justice must be impartial and consistent; otherwise, it risks eroding public trust in the rule of law.” – Drkenon2