BREAKING; FG seeks death sentence for Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death penalty on the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The request was made on Thursday by the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty on all seven terrorism charges filed against him.

The prosecution argued that Kanu’s alleged incitement led to the killing of several security personnel and the destruction of public property, accusing both IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), of working to destabilize the country.

Awomolo told the court that only the maximum penalty would deliver justice to victims of the acts linked to Kanu, noting that counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 carry the death penalty, count 3 carries a 20-year jail term, while count 7 attracts five years imprisonment.

He urged the court to consider “the nature and gravity of acts of terrorism committed by the convict against innocent Nigerians in the South East,” adding that Kanu had shown no remorse and behaved “arrogantly” during court proceedings.

The Federal Government also prayed the court to order the forfeiture of all seized broadcast equipment used by Kanu and to restrict him from having access to digital devices or the internet wherever he is held. For security reasons, Awomolo asked that he should not be kept at Kuje Prison, which has experienced jailbreaks in the past.

Before the court stood the matter down till 4:10 p.m. for sentencing, a plea for leniency was made by Hon. Obinna Aguocha, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South in the House of Representatives.

Thursday’s proceedings mark the end of a trial that has lasted for over a decade.