From Victor Osula, Abuja
The convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to challenge his conviction and the life sentences imposed by the Federal High Court, insisting that the trial breached his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
Justice James Omotosho had on November 20, 2025, sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on seven counts of terrorism-related charges.
In a notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu faulted the judgment in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, arguing that the proceedings were riddled with fundamental legal errors that occasioned a miscarriage of justice.
In the court document, Kanu notified the appellate court of his desire to be present at the hearing, stating, “I want to be present at the hearing of the appeal because I may be conducting the appeal in person.”
The IPOB leader contended that the trial court delivered its judgment while a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge and his bail application remained pending and undetermined.
He argued that this undermined the fairness and integrity of the trial process.
Kanu further claimed that the court erred in law by convicting and sentencing him under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, which he asserted had been repealed by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He also alleged that he was denied a fair hearing because he was not permitted to file and adopt a final written address before the verdict was delivered.
Additionally, the appeal states that the trial judge failed to grant him the right of allocutus—the opportunity to address the court before sentencing—and neglected to consider relevant mitigating factors before imposing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
Seeking several reliefs, Kanu urged the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, quash his conviction on all counts, set aside the sentences, and discharge and acquit him.
The appeal marks the latest legal effort by Kanu, who is currently held at the Sokoto Correctional Facility, to overturn the landmark judgment delivered by the lower court last year.
