Convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, challenging his conviction and life sentence imposed by the Federal High Court.
The appeal, dated February 4, 2026, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as respondent and urges the appellate court to quash, reverse and set aside the judgment delivered in November 2025.
In the 22 grounds of appeal, Kanu accused the trial court of grave legal and procedural errors. He argued that his preliminary objections and pending bail application were ignored.
He noted that he was convicted despite an earlier Court of Appeal ruling that declared previous proceedings a nullity.
He also held that the trial court failed to consider the procedural impact of the disrupted 2017 trial, following a military raid on his residence.
He further claimed that he was convicted under a repealed law and was subjected to a double trial on overlapping facts.
Kanu therefore asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, quash the convictions, set aside the sentences, and discharge and acquit him.
On November 20, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted Kanu on seven terrorism-related counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment, alongside other concurrent prison terms.
He was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.
Kanu is currently serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto State.
Sometime in January 2026, Justice Omotosho struck out Kanu’s application seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Custodial Centre to the Kuje or Keffi facility.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
