Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, filed a notice of appeal against his terrorism conviction. He challenged the ruling by James Omotosho, judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court convicted Kanu on November 20, 2025, on seven counts.
Conviction Details
Authorities charged Kanu with committing acts preparatory to terrorism and making broadcasts to intimidate the population. The court also found him guilty of leading and belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Additionally, Kanu faced conviction for importing a radio transmitter without a license. Omotosho sentenced Kanu to five life terms for terrorism offenses, 20 years for leading the group, and five years without fine option.
Appeal Filing
Kanu submitted the appeal on February 4, 2026. He sought to overturn the conviction and sentences. Moreover Kanu requested presence at the hearing and indicated he might conduct the appeal personally. He remained detained in Sokoto Correctional Centre after the court denied his transfer request.
Grounds of Appeal
Kanu argued that the trial contained fundamental legal errors and led to a miscarriage of justice. He claimed the court failed to address the 2017 military operation disruption. Furthermore the judge proceeded while a preliminary objection stayed unresolved.
Kanu also highlighted conviction under the repealed Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2013. He cited double jeopardy and denial of fair hearing as additional grounds.
Key Statements
In the appeal notice, Kanu stated, “I, Nnamdi Kanu, the Appellant, having been convicted and sentenced… do hereby give notice of appeal against my conviction.” He added, “I want to be present at the hearing of the appeal because I may be conducting the appeal in person.”
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate, faulted the conviction and said, “It’ll aggravate tension.” The Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Global Defence Consortium declared, “This judgment will not survive appellate scrutiny.”
