The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge his conviction and life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Federal High Court.
In a Notice of Appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu, through the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CR/…/2026, is seeking the reversal of the judgment delivered in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, in which he was convicted on terrorism-related offences.
In November 2025, Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court and sentenced to life imprisonment on seven counts of terrorism.
These included committing an act preparatory to, or in furtherance of, terrorism, contrary to Section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, for which he received a life sentence; and making a broadcast on or about May 30, 2021, received in Nigeria, in which he sought to intimidate the population by issuing a deadly threat that anyone who defied a sit‑at‑home order should prepare a will.
In his appeal against the Nigerian government, Kanu argued that the trial court erred in law and procedure by imposing sentence without granting him the right of allocutus, an opportunity for a convicted person to address the court before sentencing.
He further argued that the court failed to consider relevant mitigating factors and other essential sentencing considerations before imposing the maximum punishment.
Kanu prayed the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal in its entirety and to quash his conviction on all counts.
He is also asking the appellate court to set aside the life imprisonment sentence imposed by the trial judge.
Kanu further requested “an Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal quashing, reversing and setting aside the sentences/punishment imposed on the Appellant by the Honourable trial Federal High Court Judge in the charge No; FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting the Appellant in respect of all the counts in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015,” as well as grant any additional orders deemed appropriate in the interest of justice.
The appeal lists Nnamdi Kanu as the appellant, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria named as the respondent.
The filing marks the latest legal move by the imprisoned IPOB leader, who is currently being held in Sokoto Prison, as he continues to challenge the outcome of his trial and the severity of the sentence imposed on him.
