Nnamdi Kanu appeals terrorism conviction, faults trial

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed an appeal against his terrorism conviction, seeking to have both his conviction and life sentence quashed.

The appeal was submitted to the Court of Appeal in Abuja on February 4, 2026.

In the appeal, Kanu argues that the life imprisonment sentence was imposed without an allocutus, a procedural step where the defendant is given the opportunity to make a statement explaining why the court should not impose the maximum sentence.

The appeal specifically requests the Court of Appeal to: quash Kanu’s conviction on all the counts of the charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015); reverse and set aside the sentences and punishment imposed on Kanu by the trial judge at the Federal High Court and discharge and acquit Kanu of all the charges against him in the case.

In November 2025, Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism charges by Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu was convicted on counts one, four, five, and six of the seven-count charges, while he received 20 years for count three and five years for count seven.

Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu had failed to present a credible defense and “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence provided by the prosecution.

The judge further determined that Kanu was not suitable for incarceration in Kuje Prison in Abuja, citing concerns over his behavior in court.

Omotosho ordered that Kanu be placed in protective custody at any prison facility in Nigeria.

Kanu had been arraigned on the terrorism charges after his controversial repatriation from Kenya to Nigeria on June 19, 2021.

His legal team has maintained that the charges were politically motivated and that his constitutional rights were violated during the legal proceedings.