Judge James Omotosho stated that prosecutors had established that Kanu’s directives to IPOB members directly contributed to attacks on security forces and civilians, linked to his ongoing campaign for an independent Biafra state in the Igbo-majority areas.
The case echoes tensions dating back to 1967, when an attempt to secede as the Republic of Biafra sparked a civil war that lasted three years and resulted in more than one million deaths.
IPOB, founded in 2012, has long sought self-determination for the southeast of Nigeria, but its activities have been declared illegal by the government, citing security concerns and violent incidents.
The court’s ruling may have wide implications for separatist movements and ongoing security efforts in Nigeria’s volatile southeastern region.