The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to hand down the death sentence to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after he was found guilty on seven terrorism charges on Thursday.

Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, held that the prosecution successfully established its case against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in his conviction on all counts.

Immediately after the verdict, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to apply the maximum punishment stipulated under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Awomolo emphasised that the law prescribes a death sentence for several of the offences for which Kanu was convicted.

“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 submitted.

“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.”

Following the arguments, Justice Omotosho called for a brief recess and announced that the court would resume sitting at 3:50 p.m. to continue proceedings. The judge is expected to deliver the sentencing decision after reviewing the submissions presented.