Kanu Writes Chief Justice – The Trumpet Newspaper Nigeria

The family of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu has disclosed that he has written to the chief justice and the president of the Court of Appeal, seeking the urgent listing and determination of his pending cases.

According to a statement by the Okwu-Kanu Family on Wednesday, Kanu’s requests followed delays in the proceedings, including what the family described as the federal government’s failure to file substantive responses in one of the cases.

Kanu reportedly commenced proceedings before the Supreme Court on November 7, 2025, challenging the legality of the apex court’s December 15, 2023, judgment that remitted him for the continuation of his criminal proceedings.

The family said the federal government was served with the suit on the same day but had not, according to records available to them, filed a substantive response or caused the matter to be listed for hearing.

In a letter dated August 15, 2026, and received by the Supreme Court on August 17, Kanu asked the CJN to ensure that the suit is listed, heard and determined.

Kanu, who is being held at the Sokoto Medium Security Custodial Centre, argued that his continued detention raised serious legal and jurisdictional questions.

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He specifically challenged his remittal for the continuation of criminal proceedings under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, noting that the legislation repealed the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013.

The IPOB leader also argued that his jurisdictional challenge had remained unresolved while he continued to be detained.

Separately, the Okwu-Kanu Family disclosed that Kanu has an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging his November 20, 2025 conviction and life sentence.

In a letter dated August 10, 2026, Kanu reportedly asked the President of the Court of Appeal to expedite the listing of his pending motion, bail application and substantive appeal.

The appeal, identified as Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CR/393/2026, arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 between Kanu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kanu said the record of appeal was transmitted on March 9, 2026, while his appellant’s brief of argument was filed and served on the federal government on June 5, 2026.

He urged the appellate court to list his applications and substantive appeal for hearing, citing the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.

The family also recalled the October 13, 2022 judgment in which the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu and quashed the criminal charges against him.

It questioned the subsequent stay of execution obtained by the federal government and argued that civil procedure could not be used to sustain his detention after the criminal charges had been quashed.

The Okwu-Kanu Family said Kanu is not seeking special treatment but wants his pending cases to be heard and determined promptly.

It further disclosed plans to formally notify the United States Congress, Israeli Knesset and International Bar Association of what it described as significant legal and procedural issues surrounding Kanu’s continued detention and pending appeals.