Biafran Leader Nnamdi Kanu Files Notice of Appeal over Life Sentence

Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), officially filed a notice of appeal on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, seeking to overturn his recent conviction and life sentence. The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CR/…/2026, was submitted to the Court of Appeal in Abuja exactly 76 days after the Federal High Court found him guilty of terrorism-related offenses.

Kanu is currently serving his sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, a location that has itself been a subject of legal dispute due to its distance from his legal team and family in Abuja.

Grounds for the Appeal

The notice of appeal contains 22 grounds challenging the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on November 20, 2025. Key arguments include:

• Denial of Allocutus: Kanu’s legal team argues the trial court erred by imposing a life sentence without granting him the right of allocutus—the standard procedural opportunity for a convict to address the court and plead for leniency before sentencing.
• Repealed Law: The defense contends that Kanu was convicted under a version of the Terrorism Prevention Act that had been repealed or modified by newer legislation (the 2023 Act), rendering the conviction procedurally flawed.
• Extraordinary Rendition: The appeal revisits the 2021 “extraordinary rendition” from Kenya, arguing that the illegality of his capture should have stripped the trial court of its jurisdiction.
• Ignored Mitigation: Kanu argues the court failed to consider mitigating factors, such as his health condition and the political nature of the agitation, before opting for the maximum possible punishment.

The Conviction Backstory

The November 2025 verdict marked the end of a decade-long legal saga. Kanu was convicted on seven counts, including:

1. Life Imprisonment: For conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism and inciting attacks on security personnel.
2. 20 Years: For leading a proscribed organization (IPOB).
3. 5 Years: For the illegal importation of a radio transmitter used for Radio Biafra broadcasts.

The trial judge, Justice Omotosho, described Kanu as an “international terrorist” who used his platform to “intimidate the population” and “incite violence” through deadly threats, specifically citing the May 2021 sit-at-home orders.

Recent Legal Roadblocks

The appeal comes just over a week after the Federal High Court struck out an separate ex-parte motion by Kanu on January 27, 2026, which sought his transfer from Sokoto to a prison closer to Abuja (such as Kuje or Suleja).

• Counsel Withdrawal: During that hearing, his lawyer from the Legal Aid Council withdrew from the case, citing “irreconcilable differences” and claiming that Kanu attempted to dictate exactly what the counsel should say in court.
• Current Status: As of today, Kanu remains in Sokoto, where he claims the 700-kilometer distance makes it “impracticable” to effectively consult with his legal consultants to prosecute this new appeal.

Key Dates in the Kanu Case