IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has officially appealed his terrorism conviction, citing systemic failures in his recent trial.
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Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not backing down. The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has officially challenged the life sentence handed to him late last year, calling for a total review of his trial.
On Wednesday, his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed that the legal team has filed what he described as the "mother of all appeals." The move comes just months after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on seven counts related to terrorism.
According to the legal team, the appeal filed on February 4, 2026, is a direct challenge to the November 2025 judgment. While the initial review of the trial uncovered over 1,000 procedural flaws, the defense has strategically narrowed these down to 22 core "infractions" to ensure a sharp, focused legal battle at the Abuja Court of Appeal.
At the heart of this appeal is the argument that the trial court ignored the reality of the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s home. The defense maintains that Kanu did not "flee" justice but escaped for his life during "Operation Python Dance II."
They argue it was unfair for the court to use his absence against him when it was the state’s own violence that forced him out.
Furthermore, the appeal alleges serious constitutional breaches. The defense claims that Kanu was denied a fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution.
Specifically, they point out that the court delivered its final judgment without allowing the defense to file a final written address or resolving a pending bail application.
By streamlining the case to 22 grounds, Kanu’s lawyers hope to show the appellate court a clear pattern of systemic failure rather than getting lost in minor technicalities. For now, all eyes return to the Court of Appeal to see if this latest move will change the fate of the IPOB leader.
On Wednesday, his lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed that the legal team has filed what he described as the "mother of all appeals."
The move comes just months after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on seven counts related to terrorism.
According to the legal team, the appeal filed on February 4, 2026, is a direct challenge to the November 2025 judgment.
While the initial review of the trial uncovered over 1,000 procedural flaws, the defense has strategically narrowed these down to 22 core "infractions" to ensure a sharp, focused legal battle at the Abuja Court of Appeal.
At the heart of this appeal is the argument that the trial court ignored the reality of the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s home.
The defense maintains that Kanu did not "flee" justice but escaped for his life during "Operation Python Dance II."
They argue it was unfair for the court to use his absence against him when it was the state’s own violence that forced him out.
Furthermore, the appeal alleges serious constitutional breaches. The defense claims that Kanu was denied a fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution.
Specifically, they point out that the court delivered its final judgment without allowing the defense to file a final written address or resolving a pending bail application.
By streamlining the case to 22 grounds, Kanu’s lawyers hope to show the appellate court a clear pattern of systemic failure rather than getting lost in minor technicalities.
For now, all eyes return to the Court of Appeal to see if this latest move will change the fate of the IPOB leader.
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