Nnamdi Kanu appeals terrorism conviction, seeks to quash life sentence

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja that convicted him on terrorism charges.

In an appeal filed on February 4 at the court of appeal in Abuja, Kanu asked the appellate court to quash his terrorism conviction and the sentence.

The IPOB leader argued that the life imprisonment sentence was imposed without allocutus — a statement by the defendant explaining why the court should not impose the maximum sentence for the crime.

“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal quashing the conviction of the Appellant in all the counts in the charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 by the Federal High Court Judge,” part of relief sought reads.

“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal quashing, reversing and setting aside the sentences/punishment imposed on the Appellant by the Honourable trial Federal High Court Judge in the charge No; FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.

“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting the Appellant in respect of all the counts in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.”

In November 2025, James Omotosho, a judge at the federal high court in Abuja, sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment for terrorism charges.

Kanu was handed life imprisonment for counts one, four, five and six of the seven-count charges.

The IPOB leader got 20 years and five years’ imprisonment on counts three and seven, respectively.

The judge had ruled that Kanu offered no credible defence and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented in court.

The judge had held that by virtue of his behaviour in court, Kanu is not suitable for Kuje prison in Abuja.

Omotosho said the IPOB leader must be placed in protective custody in any part of Nigeria.

Kanu was arraigned by the federal government on a seven-count terrorism charge after he was repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya on June 19, 2021.