The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has formally approached the Court of Appeal to overturn his conviction and multiple prison sentences handed down by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu is contesting his conviction on seven counts, including terrorism-related offences, arguing that the trial was fundamentally flawed and amounted to a miscarriage of justice.
“I, Nnamdi Kanu, the appellant, having been convicted and sentenced, hereby give notice of appeal against my conviction,” he stated in the appeal document.
Kanu was convicted on November 20, 2025, and sentenced by Justice James Omotosho to five life terms for terrorism-related offences.
The court also imposed 20 years’ imprisonment for his role as leader of the proscribed IPOB group and an additional five-year jail term for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.
In his grounds of appeal, Kanu accused the trial court of failing to properly address what he described as a “foundational disruption” of his earlier trial, following the 2017 military operation at his Afara-Ukwu residence in Abia State.
“The learned trial judge erred in law by failing to resolve the procedural and competence consequences arising from the disruption of the original trial process,” he argued.
He further alleged that the court proceeded with the trial and delivered judgment despite a pending preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings.
“The objection was neither heard nor determined before judgment was delivered,” the appeal stated.
Kanu also faulted the court for delivering judgment while his bail application was still pending, which he said compromised his right to a fair hearing.
Another major plank of the appeal is his claim that the court convicted him under a repealed law. According to him, the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, under which he was sentenced, had already been repealed by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 before judgment was delivered.
He also argued that his retrial amounted to double jeopardy, contrary to Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, insisting that the Court of Appeal had previously nullified earlier proceedings based on the same facts.
Kanu further claimed that he was denied fair hearing because he was not allowed to file or adopt a final written address before judgment was delivered.
Among the reliefs sought, the IPOB leader urged the appellate court to set aside his conviction and sentences and to “discharge and acquit the appellant on all counts.”
He also informed the court of his intention to be present during the appeal hearing, stating:
“I want to be present at the hearing of the appeal because I may be conducting the appeal in person.”
Kanu is currently being held at a correctional facility in Sokoto State, following the court’s refusal to grant his request for transfer to another facility in Niger or Nasarawa State.
