‘Show me the law’ – Appeal Court must answer question Nnamdi Kanu asked judge – Prince Emmanuel

Court of Appeal Begins Hearings on Nnamdi Kanu’s Conviction

As the Court of Appeal begins hearings on an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the court faces critical questions regarding the legality of his conviction. Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, has stated that the court must address Kanu’s request to be shown the specific law under which he was prosecuted and convicted.

During his trial for terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu had infamously asked trial judge Justice James Omotosho, “Show me the law.” This phrase has since resonated with IPOB supporters and observers throughout the lengthy judicial proceedings.

In a statement released Tuesday, Prince Emmanuel emphasized the importance of the appellate court’s scrutiny of the Abuja court’s judgment. He noted that the conviction cannot stand if the court does not identify a valid written law that justifies it.

Prince Kanu recounted his brother’s pivotal question posed in court on November 20, 2025, regarding the legal basis for the charges against him. He argued that Kanu demanded to see the relevant law in effect on that date, as stipulated by Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The statement alleged that Justice Omotosho failed to reference the applicable legal framework, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (TPPA) 2022, choosing instead to rely on a savings clause that reverted to the repealed Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) (TPAA) Act of 2013. This move raised significant legal concerns, as it contradicted the acknowledgment that TPAA had been repealed.

According to the statement, the charges against Kanu were anchored in the repealed TPAA 2013. The appeal court is now tasked with answering the question that Justice Omotosho did not: identifying the current written law in effect on the date of Kanu’s conviction.

“If neither the Federal Government nor the Court of Appeal can identify a legal foundation for the conviction, it will have serious implications for the case,” the statement asserted.

The comments from Prince Emmanuel criticized the validity of Kanu’s conviction based on a repealed law. He expressed confidence that Kanu should be released according to Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires that no one can be convicted of a crime unless the offense and penalty are defined in a written law.

The appeal hearings are closely monitored as they may have significant implications for Kanu and for the ongoing discussions surrounding legal processes in Nigeria.

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