Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal Against Life Sentence Reaches Court of Appeal, Lawyer Gives Update on Next Steps
The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally notified the Court of Appeal of its intention to challenge the life imprisonment sentence handed down to him by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu, disclosed this in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
According to Ejimakor, the Grounds of Appeal were filed since February 2026, thereby officially commencing the appellate process against the November 20, 2025 judgment of Justice James Omotosho.
The Federal High Court had convicted Kanu on all seven counts, including running a proscribed organisation and inciting violence, and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court had also affirmed its jurisdiction despite claims of unlawful rendition.
Ejimakor revealed that the Record of Appeal — which includes the charge sheet, full proceedings, exhibits, rulings, judgment and sentence — has already been compiled by the registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and transmitted to the Court of Appeal.
He explained that the next critical stage is the filing of briefs of argument.
Kanu’s legal team is expected to file the Appellant’s Brief within 45 days of receiving the record. The brief will contain arguments on 22 grounds of appeal, seeking to quash the conviction and sentence.
The Federal Government, as respondent, will then have 30 days to file its own brief after being served. The defence may file a reply brief within 14 days if necessary.
Ejimakor noted that the briefs will form the core of the appeal, while oral arguments at the hearing will be limited to clarifications. No fresh evidence or witness testimony will be allowed at the appellate stage.
Once all briefs are filed, the Court of Appeal is expected to fix a hearing date before a panel of three justices. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court will reserve judgment, which is expected to be delivered within weeks or a few months, but not later than 90 days.
Possible outcomes of the appeal include the court allowing the appeal and quashing the conviction, dismissing the appeal and upholding the lower court’s judgment, or ordering a retrial.
Ejimakor urged supporters and the public to focus on the standard procedural stages rather than daily rumours.
“People should therefore focus on these clear, sequential stages rather than daily rumors or believing that the appeal process will follow the same pattern and procedure seen in the High Court before Justice Omotosho,” he said.
“This is the standard, transparent roadmap laid down by Nigerian law, and MNK’s appeal cannot be any different. So, the appeal is progressing exactly as the rules require – one procedural step at a time,” Ejimakor added.
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