The family of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu has called for the immediate listing of his appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment. In a statement signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the Okwu-Kanu family of Umuahia, Abia State, insisted that the Court of Appeal must address fundamental constitutional and legal questions surrounding the conviction. They alleged that Kanu was denied a fair hearing during the trial.
The family questioned the legal basis of Kanu's conviction, urging the Court of Appeal to examine jurisdictional issues raised by his defence and apply relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly. They specifically demanded that the appeal be listed, written-law questions be determined, and jurisdictional questions be examined. The family also petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to examine the conduct of trial judge Justice James Omotosho.
According to the family, Justice Omotosho acknowledged constitutional and legal provisions relating to repealed legislation but proceeded to convict Kanu under a repealed legal regime. They called on the NJC to examine the judge's conduct during the proceedings, stating that he denied Kanu a fair hearing and failed to follow required sentencing procedures. The family raised five questions for the Court of Appeal to resolve in determining the legality of the conviction.
The questions include whether there was a written law in force on November 20, 2025, defining the offences for which Kanu was convicted and prescribing their penalties, as required by Section 36(12) of the Constitution. The family also questioned the statutory transition provisions under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the effect of the repeal of earlier terrorism legislation.
Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism-related counts. His family argued that the alleged denial of a fair hearing was fundamental, as the process leading to a life sentence cannot be separated from constitutional safeguards governing a criminal trial. The family demanded that Justice Omotosho identify the written law under which Kanu was convicted.
In a separate case, the Federal High Court in Abuja remanded four alleged IPOB members over their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of a Department of State Services operative, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh. The defendants were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and kidnapping.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism and abducted Owoh while he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court fixed October 6 for the commencement of trial, ordering that they remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
Key points
- Kanu's family demands immediate listing of his appeal against life imprisonment, citing unfair trial and constitutional concerns.
- The family questions the legal basis of Kanu's conviction, urging the Court of Appeal to examine jurisdictional issues and apply relevant constitutional provisions.
- Four alleged IPOB members were remanded in custody over their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of a DSS operative.
