Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has described IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as an “international terrorist”, citing his alleged threats to bomb the United States Embassy and attack a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.
The judge made the declaration on Thursday while ruling on count six of the charges brought against Kanu.
According to Justice Omotosho, the IPOB leader’s comments went far beyond local agitation. He said Kanu’s threats against foreign missions and diplomatic officials, as well as his call for violent attacks in Nigeria, place him in the category of an international security threat.
“The defendant is not only a confirmed local terrorist, but I hold, without hesitation, that he is an international terrorist,” the judge said.
He added that Kanu’s incitement against the British High Commissioner, described as “a known woman of peace,” and his threat to attack the American Embassy further strengthened this conclusion.
Justice Omotosho also pointed to one of Kanu’s broadcasts where he allegedly urged graduates of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry to produce Molotov cocktails. He said such instructions clearly fit the definition of terrorist acts.
Citing a broadcast from October 21, 2020, the judge recalled how Kanu encouraged his followers to “go to the bush” and attack police and military convoys, saying security officers “also bleed.”
The court quoted him as saying “Whenever you see a military convoy, you attack them… Any person with a police uniform or any army uniform is your enemy.”
The judge stressed that threatening internationally protected persons such as ambassadors and high commissioners is a serious crime punishable by life imprisonment. He warned that Kanu’s alleged actions could have triggered a major diplomatic crisis for Nigeria.
“Leaving the defendant to continue his terrorist activities would have led to an international incident involving Nigeria and other foreign nations,” he said.
Justice Omotosho questioned whether bombing embassies could be considered a legitimate form of self-determination agitation, insisting that such violent rhetoric only proves the “criminal tendency” of the defendant.
The court ruled that prosecutors successfully proved the allegations in the charge and consequently convicted Nnamdi Kanu on that count.
Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Services since June 2021, after being rearrested abroad and returned to Nigeria. He is facing charges related to terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.
His trial has seen several delays, with his legal team consistently arguing that his detention and extraordinary rendition violate both Nigerian and international law.
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