Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a formal appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking to overturn his terrorism conviction and multiple life sentences imposed by the Federal High Court on November 20, 2025.
Court documents show that the appeal, lodged on February 4, 2026, challenges his conviction on seven terrorism-related counts, including allegations connected to broadcasts, incitement, bomb-making directives and unlawful importation of a radio transmitter. The trial court had ordered all life sentences to run concurrently.
Legal Team Lists 22 Grounds Of Appeal
Kanu’s defence lawyers stated that the Notice of Appeal contains 22 grounds distilled from a broader legal review which identified numerous alleged procedural and legal lapses during the trial. According to the defence, the streamlined filing is intended to present key constitutional and evidentiary questions clearly before the appellate court.
They argued that the appeal aims to demonstrate cumulative errors which, in their view, undermined the fairness of the proceedings.
Major Issues Highlighted
2017 Military Operation And Trial Interpretation:
The defence challenges how the trial court interpreted events following the 2017 military operation at Kanu’s residence, arguing that his absence from Nigeria was presented as voluntary “flight” without proper consideration of the surrounding circumstances.
Alleged Breach Of Fair Hearing Rights:
Several grounds of appeal allege violations of constitutional fair hearing provisions, including claims that pending applications and objections were not determined before judgment and that the defence was not allowed to submit a final written address.
Dispute Over Evidence Presented:
The appeal contends that no direct victims testified to violence or intimidation and that no physical proof was produced to support allegations of bomb-making activities. The defence maintains that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Claims Of Reliance On Matters Outside Charges:
Kanu’s lawyers also allege that the trial court relied on issues not contained in the formal charge sheet, including references to alleged foreign diplomatic incidents which they say were neither pleaded nor proven during trial.
Statutory And Sentencing Challenges:
The appeal questions the legal basis of certain convictions, alleging that one terrorism statute relied upon had been repealed before judgment. It also challenges the legality of sentencing on the radio transmitter charge, which the defence argues is statute-barred and exceeded the maximum penalty under law.
Next Steps In The Case
The Court of Appeal is expected to receive and review the Record of Appeal before fixing a hearing date. Legal observers say the proceedings could reignite national debate on due process, evidentiary standards and the handling of high-profile terrorism prosecutions in Nigeria.
No official response has been issued by prosecuting authorities as of the time of filing this report.