The Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Government has called for the death sentence to be imposed on Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), immediately following his conviction on seven counts of terrorism.
The request was made by the government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, moments after Justice James Omotoso found Kanu guilty on all charges.
Justice Omotoso, while delivering the judgment, ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against the IPOB leader beyond a reasonable doubt, convicting him on all seven charges.
Seizing the moment, Awomolo urged the court to impose the ultimate penalty as prescribed by the law. He firmly stated that the court had no discretion on the matter for the majority of the counts.
“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence,” Awomolo submitted. “The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death.”
He further pressed the judge, adding, “With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard. The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”
Following these submissions, Justice James Omotoso announced a short recess, stating that the court would reconvene at 3:50 p.m. to deliver the highly anticipated sentencing decision.
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