Nnamdi Kanu Appeals Terrorism Conviction, Seeks Acquittal on All Charges

The 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 handed down by the Federal High Court.

In the appeal filed on 4 February 2026, Mr Kanu named the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the respondent and urged the appellate court to “quash, reverse and set aside” the judgment delivered against him in November 2025.

Background of the Conviction

On 20 November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted Mr Kanu on seven terrorism-related counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment and other varying prison terms. He is currently serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto State.

The offences include acts preparatory to terrorism, inciting attacks on security personnel and their families, directing the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, leading and belonging to the proscribed IPOB, and making broadcasts allegedly intended to intimidate the public. He was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.

Grounds of Appeal

Mr Kanu’s notice of appeal contains 22 grounds, accusing the trial court of multiple legal and procedural errors. He argued that his preliminary objections and pending bail application were ignored, and that he was convicted despite an earlier Court of Appeal decision declaring previous proceedings a nullity.

The appellant further contended that the trial judge failed to address the procedural consequences of the disrupted 2017 trial following the military raid on his residence. He also accused the court of misdirection for treating his absence from Nigeria as adverse, insisting he fled for safety reasons.

Other grounds include claims that he was convicted under a repealed law, subjected to a retrial on overlapping facts, and sentenced without mitigation or allocutus. He maintained that his right to a fair hearing was breached.

Based on these arguments, Mr Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, quash his conviction on all counts, set aside the sentences, and discharge and acquit him entirely.

Trial History and Self-Representation

Mr Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 on charges including treasonable felony and unlawful possession of arms. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria after soldiers reportedly raided his home in Abia State.

He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 and returned to Nigeria to face trial. The case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho in March 2025 after previous judicial recusals.

In October 2025, Mr Kanu dismissed his legal team and opted to represent himself. He repeatedly refused to open his defence, arguing there was no valid charge against him. After several adjournments and warnings, the court ruled that he had waived his right to defence.

Recent Developments

On 27 January 2026, Justice Omotosho struck out a motion filed by Mr Kanu seeking his transfer from the Sokoto correctional centre to the Abuja facility.

Supporters of the IPOB leader have described the appeal as the “mother of all appeals”, with observers noting that its outcome could have broader implications for separatist tensions in south-east Nigeria.

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