Nigeria, Nov. 20 -- The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for acts of terrorism.

Trial judge James Omotosho, who convicted Mr Kanu on all seven charges, said he ought to sentence him to death given the gravity of the convict's offences and lack of remorse but for scriptural persuasion to be merciful.

Mr Omotosho said he drew on the book of Matthew in the Bible to commute Mr Kanu's punishment to life imprisonment instead of death penalty. He therefore sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, "instead of death sentence".

He added, "With respect to count 3, he is sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment without fine. He is sentenced to five years' impr...