Was Nnamdi Kanu Sentenced To Death By Hanging?

On November 20, 2025, an X handle claimed that the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been sentenced to death by hanging. The post feturing a tearful face of Kanu, is captioned, “Breaking News🚨: IPOB terr0rists leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been sentenced to d£ath by hanging 😢💔…”

When this report was published, the post had about 124,200 views and about 1,669 replies, reposts, quotes, likes and bookmarks. In the comment section, @Brosolalekan said “Congratulations i think BAT administration just figured one of the founder of terrorism in 9ja…i expected more cruel judgement on terrorist of any tribe, religion, class or race…..let the clean up begin” while @Salimmuhammadi2 wrote “I will be glad to here that.”

VERIFICATION

NV-A conducted a reverse google image search on the image and the result shows that the image came into public space on November 20, 2025, during the trial of Kanu. Further analysis of the picture was carried out to confirm if it is AI generated but the outcome came out negative and seen below. 

A Federal High Court in Abuja, had on November 20, convicted Nnamdi Kanu on seven counts of terrorism-related charges. Justice James Omotosho sentenced him to life imprisonment on multiple counts. Specifically: life sentence on counts 1, 4, 5, and 6; 20 years for count 3; and 5 years for count 7. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Prosecutors indeed asked for the death penalty, arguing that the terrorism offences warranted it. The law under which he was charged allows for a death sentence in certain terrorism cases. Despite the prosecution’s request, Justice Omotosho declined to issue the death penalty. In his ruling, the judge cited mercy (including a biblical reference) and noted that the death penalty is increasingly opposed globally.

CONCLUSION

The claim that  the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been sentenced to death by hanging is FALSE. Although prosecutors pleaded for the death penalty on him, Justice Omotosho declined and gave him a life sentence.