IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Finally Files Appeal Against His Conviction

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has formally filed a  notice of appeal against his conviction by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The Source reports that Justice James Omotosho had, on November 20, 2025, convicted  and sentenced the IPOB’s leader to a life in jail on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism activities.

He is currently serving his jail term at the Sokoto custodial Centre.

In the notice which contains 22 grounds of  appeal, and which was filed on Wednesday February 4, 2026, Kanu urged the Appallate Court to set aside his earlier conviction by the trial Court on the grounds that the  trial Judge erred in law when he failed to resolve the procedural and competence consequences of his botched 2017 trial.

The IPOB leader similarly faulted his conviction under a supposedly repealed law, as well as retrial based on overlapping facts.

Kanu further argued that in convicting and sentencing him, the trial Judge ignored his preliminary objections, and bail applications pending before the courts.

He further contended that his conviction and sentencing came despite an earlier Court of Appeal judgment declaring his trial a nullity

In all, the IPOB leader prayed the Court of Appeal to nullify his conviction on all seven counts as well as set aside  the life imprisonment slammed on him by the trial court.

Accordingly, he  prayed the Appallate court to discharge and acquit him on all counts.

The Source further reports that Justice Omotosho had, last week, dismissed Kanu’s application seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional facility to that of Kuje and any other close to Abuja to enable him file and defend his appeal against his conviction.