The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to hand down the death penalty to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction on seven terrorism-related charges on Thursday.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, held that federal prosecutors had successfully established all allegations against Kanu.
The court found him guilty on each of the seven counts brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act of 2013.
Moments after the verdict was announced, the government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, urged the court to apply what he described as the “mandatory punishment” required by law.
He argued that several of the offences for which Kanu was convicted carry capital punishment and that the court had no discretion in the matter.
According to Awomolo, Section 12H of the Act prescribes the death sentence for the offences listed in Counts one, two, four, five, and six.
He insisted that once guilt had been established, the judge was bound to impose the maximum penalty set out in the legislation.
“My Lord, with the conviction already entered, the next step is the statutory punishment.
“The law is unequivocal. For these particular counts, the sentence is death.
”The court is empowered to do no less, and we respectfully submit that this is what the law requires,” he said.
Following the submissions, Justice Omotosho announced a brief recess, informing the courtroom that the sentencing phase would resume at 3:50 p.m.
The judge is expected to deliver his decision on the appropriate punishment after reviewing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
