The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, held that Kanu was convicted on counts one, four, five and six, which, according to him, ordinarily attract the death penalty.
The judge, however, exercised discretion by substituting the death sentence with life imprisonment.
Omotosho also sentenced Kanu to 20 years imprisonment on count three and five years on count seven, both without the option of a fine.
He ordered that all the sentences should run concurrently.
“I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts one, four, five and six, instead of the death sentence,” the judge said.
“With respect to count three, he is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine, while on count seven, he is to serve five years, also without an option of fine.
“To extend mercy, the sentences shall run concurrently,” he added.