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In Nigeria, a court has found guilty separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu on terror-related charges a decade after his initial detainment.

Judicial authorities affirmed that Kanu had made multiple broadcasts encouraging violence and killings as part of his campaign for an independent nation in south-east Nigeria, referred to as Biafra.

Kanu has been convicted on each of the seven counts he confronted—including terror-related acts, treason, and involvement with a banned secessionist group.

Emergence of a Separatist Figure

Once a relatively obscure personality, Kanu's following escalated in 2009 when he launched Radio Biafra, a station that advocated an independent state for the Igbo people, broadcast to Nigeria from London.

Although he was raised in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, where he studied at the University of Nsukka, Kanu moved to the UK prior to completing his studies and obtained British citizenship.

In 2014, he established the Indigenous People Of Biafra (Ipob), a movement calling for self-rule.

Ban and Armed Activities

Ipob was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in 2017. Its armed wing—the Eastern Security Network—has been implicated of murders and additional incidents of aggression in the past few years.

Delivering his judgement, Judge James Omotosho said: "Mr Kanu was aware of what he was doing, he was determined to carrying out these intimidations without regard to his own people."

"Based on the undeniable proof, it is evident that the accused performed preparatory acts of terror."

"He had the obligation to explain himself but failed to do so."

Response and Legal Proceedings

Kanu remains a popular figure in his group's stronghold in the south-east, but response to the decision there has so far been muted.

In court ahead of the judgement, Kanu argued that the trial could not continue because he had not yet filed his final written address, alleging the presiding officer of partiality and not understanding the law.

This ruling was announced after Kanu had been forcibly removed from the courtroom for unruly conduct.

Arrest Background

Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 but he jumped bail in 2017 and departed the nation after a military raid on his home. Judicial authorities later revoked his bail in March 2019 and he was re-arrested in 2021 in Kenya.

Historical Context

Demands for Biafran independence date back many years.

In 1967 leaders of the Igbo community declared a Biafran state, but after a devastating civil war, which led to the loss of lives of up to a million people, the secessionist rebellion was defeated.