The Federal High Court in Abuja has gone on break in its trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, but will deliver its sentence at 3:50 pm today (Thursday). 

Justice James Omotosho said this after he found Kanu guilty of seven count charges of terrorism following hours of judgement. 

The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obi Aguocha, had after the judgement pleaded for mercy for the IPOB leader.

After Aguocha’s plea, Justice Omotosho said, “I will consider all these and I wil rise and come back by 10 minutes to 4pm. You may go and come back by 10 minutes to 4pm for the sentencing”.

While delivering judgement on Kanu, Justice Omotosho said the prosecution had proved its case against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt, thus finding him guilty on all seven charges.

READ ALSO: FG Demands Death Sentence For Nnamdi Kanu After His Conviction

After the conviction, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked the court to sentence Kanu to death.

Awolomo argued that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 prescribed a death sentence for several of the offences Kanu was convicted of.

“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence. 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,” Awomolo said.

“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.”

According to him, the convict now knows that the law is greater than any individual. Awolomo said Kanu ought to show penitence and remorse, and not arrogance.

Awomolo pleaded that the IPOB leader be kept in the safest centre, because his safety is very important, noting that the Kuje Correctional Centre is not ideal, due to jail breaks.

Kanu’s case is one of the most protracted and longest in the nation’s history.