The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terrorism-related charges.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu would serve life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six. The judge noted that although the offences carried the possibility of a death sentence, the court opted for life imprisonment instead.

“I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five, and six, instead of death sentence,” the judge declared.

Justice Omotosho also imposed a 20-year sentence on Count Three and a five-year sentence on Count Seven, both without the option of a fine. He emphasized that all sentences would run concurrently.

“For Count Three, he is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without no option of fine,” the judge said. “For Count Seven, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment without no option of fine. To extend the mercy, I hereby order that the sentence shall run concurrently.”

The ruling marks one of the most consequential judgments in Nigeria’s ongoing legal battles with separatist movements in the southeast.