Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a notice of appeal challenging his conviction and multiple sentences handed down by the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu is contesting his conviction on seven counts, including terrorism-related offences, for which he was sentenced on November 20, 2025. The court imposed five life sentences for terrorism-related charges, 20 years’ imprisonment for leading a proscribed organisation, and five years without the option of fine for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.
Kanu argued that his trial was marred by fundamental legal errors and amounted to a miscarriage of justice. He faulted the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, for allegedly 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. According to him, the court proceeded to judgment without resolving key procedural and competence issues arising from that disruption.
He further contended that the trial court delivered judgment while his preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings remained pending and undetermined. Kanu also claimed that his bail application was still awaiting determination at the time judgment was delivered, which he said compromised the fairness of the process.
Additionally, he argued that he was convicted under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, which he said had been repealed and replaced by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, prior to the judgment. He also raised concerns of double jeopardy, alleging he was retried on issues previously nullified by the Court of Appeal, and claimed he was denied the opportunity to present a final written address.
Kanu is seeking to have his conviction quashed and to be discharged and acquitted. He has also expressed a desire to represent himself during the appeal proceedings.
