The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that the Federal Government’s response to the appeal filed by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, contains statements that raise serious questions about the legality of the judgment delivered against him.
The group made the claim in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, shortly after fresh legal filings were made at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
According to IPOB, Kanu’s legal team has formally begun the appeal process challenging his conviction and life sentence, while the Federal Government has also submitted a cross-appeal in response.
Kanu was convicted on terrorism-related charges by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025, and was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. He is currently serving the sentence in a correctional facility in Sokoto State.
Reacting to the latest developments, IPOB argued that portions of the government’s legal filing appear to acknowledge that the trial court exceeded its powers in relation to aspects of the sentencing process.
The separatist group maintained that this issue could have major implications for the entire judgment, insisting that questions surrounding jurisdiction cannot be separated from the validity of the conviction itself.
IPOB claimed that if a court is considered to have acted outside its authority in imposing a sentence, then concerns naturally arise about the legitimacy of the proceedings that led to the conviction.
The group further argued that the matter goes beyond Kanu’s personal case and touches on broader issues relating to the credibility of the judicial system and adherence to constitutional principles.
According to IPOB, the appeal will give higher courts an opportunity to determine whether established legal standards were properly followed during the trial.
The organisation also repeated earlier arguments by Kanu’s lawyers, who have consistently challenged the judgment on several legal grounds, including claims that parts of the case relied on legislation they consider no longer valid.
IPOB described the appeal as a significant legal battle that could attract attention both within Nigeria and internationally, given the constitutional and procedural issues it believes are involved.
The group called on legal observers, human rights advocates and members of the international community to closely monitor the proceedings as the appeal moves forward.
With both parties now having filed their respective legal arguments, attention is expected to shift to the Court of Appeal, where judges will review the submissions and determine the next stage of the high-profile case involving the IPOB leader.