Just In: IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Files 22 Grounds of Appeal, Details of Major Demand Emerge
- Nnamdi Kanu has appealed his life sentence, challenging the convictions from the Federal High Court ruling
- Kanu's appeal outlined 22 grounds, including alleged ignored objections and purported misdirection by the trial judge
- Kanu sought to overturn the conviction and be discharged from all charges against him
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal.
As reported by Premium Times on Wednesday, February 4, Kanu challenged his conviction and life sentence imposed on him by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Source: Twitter
The notice, which named Nigeria as the respondent, urged the appellate court to “quash, reverse and set aside” the punishment handed down by the trial court.
Vanguard and Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers in several ongoing cases, also highlighted the fresh legal move.
The legal practitioner wrote:
"The mother of all appeals has been filed, as MAZI NNAMDI KANU personally appeals against his conviction/sentence today, the 4th of February 2025."
Ejimakor’s post on X is shown below, highlighting the details of the major demand:
Legit.ng recalls that on November 20, 2025, trial judge James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted and sentenced Kanu on multiple counts to life imprisonment and other varying prison terms. Kanu was convicted on all seven terrorism-related charges at the end of a decade-long trial that has inflamed tensions in the country's southeast.
Judge James Omotosho said prosecutors proved that his broadcasts and orders to his now-outlawed IPOB group incited deadly attacks on security forces and citizens. He is currently serving his sentence in a correctional centre in Sokoto State.
Nnamdi Kanu files 22-ground appeal
The appeal, filed on February 4, 2026, sought to overturn his conviction and the sentences imposed on him.
The notice contains 22 grounds of appeal, contending, among others, that his preliminary objections and pending bail application were ignored, and that he was convicted despite a prior Court of Appeal ruling declaring earlier proceedings a nullity.
Source: Facebook
IPOB's Kanu wants conviction quashed
Furthermore, the IPOB leader argued that the trial judge “erred in law by failing to resolve the procedural and competence consequences” of the disrupted 2017 trial.
In other grounds raised in the notice of appeal, the appellant accused the trial judge of misdirection for treating his absence from Nigeria as adverse. He also said he was convicted under a repealed law, retried on overlapping facts, and sentenced without consideration of mitigation or “allocutus,” among others.
Therefore, the IPOB leader asked the Court of Appeal to allow his appeal, quash his conviction on all counts, and set aside the sentences imposed by the Federal High Court. He further sought an order discharging and acquitting him in respect of all the charges.
Kanu: Lawmakers message Tinubu
Meanwhile, a group of 44 members of the House of Representatives has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution to Kanu's case.
Operating under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for National Unity, the group transmitted a two-page letter and formal resolution to the president, urging him to exercise his constitutional powers to ensure Kanu’s freedom.
They argued that sustained political engagement, rather than continued judicial confrontation, offers the most viable path to addressing growing insecurity and longstanding regional grievances in the south-east.
Tinubu likely to release Kanu
In the same vein, Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, said Kanu will be released soon.
Otti spoke after a meeting with President Tinubu.
Otti said:
“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom.
“Mr President and I have been friends for decades. Whatever he wants to do, he will tell you, and if he will not, he will say so. Having made promises, I am sure he will keep them.”
Read more on Nnamdi Kanu:
- Nnamdi Kanu to remain in custody as NMA fails to meet deadline
- Southeast Governor mentions when Tinubu may release Nnamdi Kanu
- Enugu Governor Mbah mentions how to secure Nnamdi Kanu's fast release after joining APC
Tinubu asked to free Nnamdi Kanu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, called on President Tinubu and the federal government to release Kanu.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation leader argued that the IPOB leader has stayed in detention for too long.
Source: Legit.ng
