Southeast Boils As Residents, IPOB Condemn Nnamdi Kanu’s Life Sentence

By IKE UZOR-NZUBECHI

SOUTHEAST residents have reacted with anger and disappointment to the life imprisonment handed to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu was convicted on seven terrorism-related charges linked to his secessionist campaign for an independent Biafra.

Justice James Omotosho also barred him from accessing mobile devices or broadcasting equipment except under security supervision.

Across Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo states, many described the judgement as unjust and politically motivated. Residents argued that Kanu’s case should have been resolved through dialogue and warned that the ruling could fuel further agitation and insecurity in the region.

Civil society representatives said the sentence deepens long-standing grievances in the South-east and reinforces the belief that Nigeria has not healed from the civil war.

IPOB, in a statement by its spokesperson Emma Powerful, rejected the conviction, insisting Kanu committed no crime and that no evidence of violence or weapons was ever presented in court. The group accused the government of criminalising self-determination and vowed to intensify peaceful advocacy and international engagement.

The court, however, ruled that Kanu could be tried under provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act, citing transitional clauses that allow ongoing cases to continue under the new law.