Nnamdi Kanu Files 22 Ground Appeal Against Life Sentence

Nnamdi Kanu Files 22 Ground Appeal Against Life Sentence
He alleges jurisdictional errors and unfair trial process
IPOB leader seeks acquittal on all terrorism charges

The convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a 22 ground appeal challenging the November 20, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court which sentenced him to life imprisonment for terrorism related offences.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Kanu was convicted on a seven count terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

In the notice of appeal personally signed by him, Kanu argued that the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, erred in law and that the entire proceedings resulted in a grave miscarriage of justice.

In his first ground of appeal, Kanu contended that the trial court failed to determine the legal consequences arising from the disruption of his earlier trial following the September 2017 military operation known as Operation Python Dance II.

He told the Court of Appeal that his residence at Afara Ukwu was invaded by state agents during the operation, leading to deaths, destruction and the collapse of the original trial process.

“The said operation resulted in deaths and destruction and triggered disruption of the earlier proceedings,” he stated.

According to him, the trial court ought to have resolved the legal effect of the disruption on the competence of the case before taking evidence and delivering judgment.

“The judgment of conviction was delivered on 20 November 2025 notwithstanding the unresolved foundational competence issues,” Kanu said.

Kanu further argued that Justice Omotosho erred in law by proceeding with the trial and delivering judgment without hearing and determining his pending preliminary objection, which challenged the jurisdiction and competence of the proceedings.

“The Learned Trial Judge did not hear or determine the objection. The court proceeded with evidence and delivered judgment while the objection remained pending and undetermined,” he argued.

In another ground of appeal, Kanu maintained that the trial court proceeded to judgment and convicted him while his bail application was still pending, a development he said undermined the fairness of the trial.

The IPOB leader also faulted the sentencing process, arguing that the court imposed sentence without taking his allocutus, the opportunity for a convicted person to address the court in mitigation.

“Upon conviction, the Appellant was not afforded the opportunity to address the court in mitigation (allocutus).

“Sentence was imposed without allocutus. The court did not consider relevant mitigation or sentencing factors,” he said.

Kanu further described the life sentence imposed on him as excessive and unlawful.

He urged the Court of Appeal to quash his conviction on all counts in the charge marked FHC ABJ CR 383 2015.

He also sought an order setting aside the sentences imposed by the Federal High Court and an order discharging and acquitting him on all counts.

Kanu informed the appellate court of his intention to be physically present during the hearing of the appeal.

“I desire to put my case and argument into writing and also adopt my argument orally in the court on the hearing of the appeal,” he stated, adding that he may conduct the appeal in person.