Detained leader of the 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, arguing that his trial was fundamentally flawed and resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
In the notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu stated that he is contesting his conviction and sentences on seven counts, including terrorism-related offences, for which he was handed five life sentences alongside additional prison terms following his conviction on November 20, 2025.
“I, Nnamdi Kanu, the appellant, having been convicted and sentenced… do hereby give notice of appeal against my conviction,” the document stated.
Kanu was found guilty 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, delivered the judgment on November 20, 2025, sentencing Kanu to five life terms for terrorism-related offences, 20 years’ imprisonment for being leader of the proscribed IPOB, and five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.
In his grounds of appeal, Kanu accused the trial court of failing to address what he described as a “foundational disruption of the original trial process” arising from 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 further contended that the court proceeded with the trial and delivered judgment while his preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings remained unresolved. According to the appeal, “The Learned Trial Judge did not hear or determine the objection,” and judgment was delivered “while the objection remained pending and undetermined”.
Kanu also faulted the court for delivering judgment while his bail application was still pending, insisting that this undermined the fairness of the trial. He additionally claimed that the court convicted him under a law that had already been repealed, stating that “The Learned Trial Judge erred in law by convicting and sentencing the Appellant under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013,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”.
He further argued that he was subjected to double jeopardy in violation of Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, alleging that he was retried on facts earlier nullified by the Court of Appeal. Kanu also claimed he was denied fair hearing, saying he was not allowed to file or present a final written address before judgment was delivered.
Among the reliefs sought, Kanu urged 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 intention to be physically present during the appeal hearing, 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 after his request to be transferred to a facility in either Niger or Nasarawa State was declined.
