Nnamdi Kanu Challenges Life Sentence, Heads to Court of Appeal

Nnamdi Kanu Challenges Life Sentence, Heads to Court of Appeal

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge his conviction and life sentence for terrorism-related offences.

In a notice of appeal filed on February 4, Kanu urged the appellate court to overturn both his conviction and the penalties imposed by the Federal High Court, arguing that the trial court committed grave errors in law and procedure.

A key ground of the appeal is Kanu’s claim that the trial judge failed to grant him the right of allocutus, an opportunity for a convicted person to address the court before sentencing before imposing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

In the reliefs sought, Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to:
1. Quash his conviction on all counts contained in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
2. Set aside and reverse the sentences imposed by the Federal High Court in the same charge.
3. Discharge and acquit him on all counts in the seven-count charge.

Kanu was convicted in November 2025 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and sentenced to life imprisonment on counts one, four, five, and six of the charge. He also received a 20-year prison sentence on count three and five years’ imprisonment on count seven.

In delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that Kanu failed to present a credible defence and had “deliberately refused” to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. The judge further ruled that Kanu’s conduct in court made him unsuitable for detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre, ordering instead that he be kept in protective custody at a location within Nigeria.

Kanu has been standing trial since his repatriation to Nigeria from Kenya on June 19, 2021, following his arraignment by the federal government on seven counts bordering on terrorism.

Blessing Anolaba

Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.