Life imprisonment: Key things to know about Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in a ruling on Thursday, 20th November 2025, by federal high court in Abuja, was convicted on all seven counts of terrorism-related offences against him and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The trial, long-running and politically charged, has drawn national and international attention given Kanu’s prominence and the sensitive issue of secession in Nigeria.

Judge James Omotosho held that the prosecution had presented credible evidence that Kanu’s broadcasts and directives to IPOB amounted to incitement of violence and attacks on civilians and security forces in Nigeria’s South-East.

The court found that Kanu failed to present a defence; refused to call witnesses or counter the evidence against him.

The charges include issuing violent threats in broadcasts, enforcing “sit-at-home” orders in the south-east that paralysed commerce, and providing instructions or support for attacks on Nigerian government facilities.

Kanu’s team had argued the trial was invalid, citing his 2021 rendition from Kenya, claims of denial of fair hearing, and that the terrorism law used was repealed. The court dismissed these objections, deciding they lacked merit.

Following the judgment by Justice Omotosho, Tribune Online takes a look at key things to know about Nnamdi Kanu:

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Nnamdi Okwu Kanu was born on 25 September 1967 in Isiama Afara Ukwu, Umuahia. He is currently 58 years old.

His father, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, and mother, Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu, were Nigerian traditional monarchs. He attended Library Avenue Primary School and Government College Umuahia, then moved to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before relocating to the UK.

Nnamdi Kanu got married legally to Uchechi Okwu-Kanu in the United Kingdom in 2009. The couple has two sons with younger one born in January 2016.

Founder of IPOB: He founded the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2012 to advocate for the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra.

Kanu was director of Radio Biafra, a UK-registered radio station, which broadcast Biafran separatist views. The station began broadcasting in 2009.

Kanu publicly identifies as Jewish and has appeared in court wearing a Jewish prayer shawl and head covering. He has led IPOB members in Jewish prayers and religious observances.

The IPOB leader was arrested on treason charges on 14 October 2015 by Nigeria’s State Security Service and detained for over a year, despite court orders for his release. After 18 months in prison, Kanu was granted bail and released in April 2017.

After a military raid on his home in September 2017, Kanu disappeared from public view, resurfacing later outside Nigeria. In June 2021, he was re-arrested abroad and extradited to Nigeria, though Interpol denied involvement.

Kanu has consistently advocated civil disobedience and passive resistance (inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi) as a strategy for achieving Biafran independence. He also organised the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in December 2020 to protect southeastern Nigerians from bandits.

Nnamdi Kanu was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism charges and to be kept in protective custody.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE