NewsNigeriaPoliticsNnamdi Kanu Files Appeal Against Life Imprisonment

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a notice of appeal challenging his conviction and multiple sentences imposed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing the trial as one marred by fundamental legal errors and a miscarriage of justice.

In the notice of appeal dated 4 February 2026, Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment delivered on 20 November 2025, which found him guilty of seven counts of terrorism and related offences and handed him multiple life sentences, as well as additional prison terms.

Kanu was convicted of offences including “committing an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism,” “making a broadcast… with intent to intimidate the population,” and “being the leader and member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a proscribed organization in Nigeria,” among others.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on 20 November 2025 sentenced Kanu to five life sentences for terrorism-related offences, 20 years’ imprisonment for being the leader of the proscribed IPOB, and five years’ imprisonment without the option of fine for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.

In his grounds of appeal, the IPOB leader accused the trial court of failing to address what he described as a “foundational disruption of the original trial process” following the 2017 military operation at his Afara-Ukwu residence.

“The Learned Trial Judge erred in law by failing to resolve the procedural and competence consequences of the foundational disruption of the original trial process in September 2017,” Kanu argued.

He also contended that the trial court proceeded to trial and delivered judgment while his preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings remained unresolved.

“The Learned Trial Judge did not hear or determine the objection,” the appeal document stated, adding that judgment was delivered “while the objection remained pending and undetermined.”

Kanu further faulted the court for delivering judgment while his bail application was still pending, arguing that it affected the fairness of the trial process.

He also claimed that the trial court convicted him under a law that had already been repealed, stating that “The Learned Trial Judge erred in law by convicting and sentencing the Appellant under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, notwithstanding its repeal by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, prior to judgment.”

Kanu additionally argued that he was subjected to double jeopardy, contrary to Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, after being retried on facts he said had earlier been nullified by the Court of Appeal.

He further complained that he was denied fair hearing, claiming that he was not allowed to file or present a final written address before judgment was delivered.

Among the reliefs sought, Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, quash his conviction and sentences, and “discharge and acquit the Appellant in respect of all the counts.”

He also informed the appellate court of his desire to be present at the hearing of the appeal, stating, “I want to be present on the hearing of the appeal because I may be conducting the appeal in person.”

Kanu is currently being held at a correctional facility in Sokoto State, where he is serving his sentence following his conviction. Previous efforts to secure his transfer to another facility for procedural steps related to the appeal were declined by the court.

The IPOB leader was initially arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and later re-arrested and returned to Nigeria in 2021 to continue his trial on terrorism charges.