₦airaland Forum

Justice James Omotosho has classified the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as an “international terrorist.”

Delivering judgement in the terrorism case filed by the Federal Government against Kanu, the judge stated that he declared Kanu an international terrorist due to his intention to “bomb the British High Commission, and to kill the then British high commissioner Catriona Laing.”

Justice Omotosho holds that Kanu extended his terrorism act to the United States of America, when he ordered that the American Embassy be brought down, in a broadcast.



“The defendant is not only a confirmed local terrorist, but I hold, without hesitation, that he is an international terrorist, flowing from his threat to attack the British High Commission and the American Embassy as well as his incitement against the British High Commissioner to Nigeria at the time Catriona Laing, a ‘known woman of peace’,” he said.

Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s call, in a broadcast, directing graduates of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry to manufacture Molotov cocktails, amounted to an act of terrorism.

Quoting one of Kanu’s broadcasts delivered on October 21, 2020, the judge said the IPOB leader urged his followers “to go to the bush” and attack any military or police convoy they saw, adding that he described security personnel as enemies who “also bleed.”

Justice Omotosho stated, “In a broadcast of 21st October 2020, the defendant stated, and I quote, ‘Radio Baifra is now in the hands of the enemy of our freedom. I don’t know how much they paid for it, but I know that Britain spent about 4.8 billion pounds a few days ago to suppress what is happening. That is what they have done.

I told you a while back that Britain was now entitled to what is happening in the zoo, and you thought that it was a joke. They have now come with their clampdown, but they are not going to succeed. Radio Biafra belongs to us, but why is it not playing our programme right now?’

“The defendant also stated, “I am telling you people to go to the bush. Wherever you see a military convoy, you attack them. Whenever you see a police convoy, attack them. They are human beings and they also bleed. Any person with a police uniform or any army uniform is your enemy.”


According to him, such statements, especially those targeting international protected persons such as ambassadors and high commissioners, fall under offences punishable by life imprisonment.

Justice Omotosho said, “The High Commissioner is an international protected person, being the representative of the British government in Nigeria, as well as other staff of High Commission and Embassy of the United States of America, leaving the defendant to continue his terrorist activities would have led to an international incident involving Nigeria and other foreign nations, who are good partners with Nigeria.

“The question to ask again is whether bombing or attacking embassies of High Commissions constitutes an action consistent with agitation for self-determination? Again, the answer is no. All these acts go to show that the criminal tendency of the defendant, as well as show concrete proof of his terrorist acts.”

Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had proved the counts against Kanu and consequently convicted him.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, when he was rearrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria to face charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and incitement.

His trial has recorded multiple adjournments, while his lawyers continue to argue that his extraordinary rendition and long detention violate both domestic and international law.

sofeo:
There's a probability he will get presidential pardon before 2027, to secure little loyalty from the east, against 2027 election.

Kukutente23:
I'm interested in understanding how saying something or issuing threats constitutes "acts" of terrorism

Fergie.001 =Deep.Sight any lawyer in the house help with the legal definition of acts of terrorism for the sake of enlightenment

VOsimhen144:
At this point the yorubas are truly scared of the incitement of the northern people.

One thing is for sure, y'all will eat from the food you feed others, sooner or later.

SpaceX:
Nigeria will pay through unrest, the cloud is gathering already...

Kukutente23:
I'm interested in understanding how saying something or issuing threats constitutes "acts" of terrorism

Fergie001 =DeepSight any lawyer in the house help with the legal definition of acts of terrorism for the sake of enlightenment