Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal Against Life Imprisonment Progressing – Counsel, Ejimakor

By Ayodele Oni 

Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has revealed that the Court of Appeal has been notified since February about appeal against the decision of the lower Court to convict the IPOB leader.

This, he added, was done through filing of Grounds of Appeal which formally initiating the appellate process.

Ejimakor gave the details in an update on the status and next steps in his client’s appeal at the Court of Appeal in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.

On November 20, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.

 Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all seven counts, including running a proscribed organization and inciting violence, noting the court’s jurisdiction despite allegations of unlawful rendition.

The Counsel explained that the record of appeal—comprising the charge sheet, 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.

According to him, the next stage involves the filing of briefs of argument.

He noted that Kanu’s legal team is expected to file its appellant’s brief within 45 days of receiving the record, outlining arguments across 22 grounds of appeal and seeking to overturn the conviction.

He added that the Federal Government, as respondent, would file its brief within 30 days of being served, after which the defence may submit a reply brief within 14 days if necessary.

Ejimakor said the briefs would form the core of the appeal, with oral arguments at the hearing limited to clarifications, adding that no fresh evidence or witness testimony would be entertained at this stage.

He further stated that once all briefs are filed, the Court of Appeal would fix a hearing date, where a three-member panel of justices would hear arguments from both sides.

Following the hearing, the court is expected to reserve judgment, which may be delivered within weeks or a few months, but not exceeding 90 days.

He outlined possible outcomes of the appeal to include the court allowing the appeal and quashing the conviction, dismissing the appeal and upholding the judgment, or ordering a retrial.

“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.

“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 said.