South-East leaders have renewed calls for a political solution following the life sentence handed to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. They expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would listen to Igbo leaders and urged citizens to remain calm.

They said now that the court has concluded the case, it is time to intensify appeals for presidential intervention. “All hope is not lost. Our people should remain calm,” one leader said.

The court session opened on a tense note after Kanu repeatedly interrupted Justice James Omotosho, leading to his removal from the courtroom. The judge ruled that the trial would continue in his absence, describing his conduct as unruly and noting that this was not the first time.

After a brief recess, the prosecution urged the court to proceed without him, citing his disruptive behaviour. Justice Omotosho said a defendant forfeits the right to be present if he consistently misconducts himself.

Delivering judgment, the court sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five, and six, which relate to terrorism, secessionist activities, killings of security operatives, destruction of public property, concealment, and importation of a radioactive transmitter.

For count three, belonging to a proscribed terrorist group, he received 20 years without an option of fine. For count seven, involving unlawful importation of a radio transmitter for Radio Biafra, he was given five years, also without an option of fine. All sentences will run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho held that Kanu’s repeated threats, including enforcing sit-at-home orders and threatening violence against those who disobeyed, amounted to acts of terrorism. He stated that such offences attract the death penalty but imposed life imprisonment “in the interest of justice.”