Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal: ‘Nigerian Govt admitted Justice Omotosho acted without jurisdiction’ – IPOB

IPOB Claims Nigerian Government Admits Court Lacked Jurisdiction in Kanu Conviction

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asserted that the Nigerian government has acknowledged that Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court acted outside of his jurisdiction when he convicted its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

In a statement issued by IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful, the group announced the initiation of proceedings for an appeal filed by Kanu, who is contesting his conviction. The appeal’s brief was submitted on Friday to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. Reports indicate that the Nigerian government has filed a cross-appeal in response.

Kanu was convicted on terrorism charges by Justice Omotosho on November 20, 2025, and is currently imprisoned in Sokoto. Following Friday’s developments, IPOB asserted that the government conceded in its cross-appeal that Justice Omotosho lacked jurisdiction when sentencing Kanu.

“The judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho has created a crisis that extends beyond Nnamdi Kanu’s fate,” IPOB stated, adding that the situation has raised questions about the credibility of judicial institutions.

The group emphasized that the Nigerian government’s admission undermines its own defense of the judgment and complicates the legal landscape surrounding the case. “If the trial court lacked jurisdiction to impose a sentence, it also lacked jurisdiction to produce the conviction from which that sentence arose,” IPOB argued.

Furthermore, IPOB contended that the government’s actions have inadvertently positioned it as a witness against its own judgment. “Any attempt by the Court of Appeal to affirm the conviction while accepting the government’s stance on jurisdiction would create a precedent inconsistent with established legal principles in Nigeria and beyond,” the statement read.

Kanu and his legal team have previously challenged the conviction, arguing that it was based on a repealed law. With the appeal now underway, IPOB has stated that the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary is at stake.

“This case is not merely about one individual; it concerns the preparedness of the Nigerian judicial system to uphold its foundational principles,” IPOB said. “The Court of Appeal is tasked with determining whether long-established legal principles still hold. The judiciary now stands at a crossroads, with significant implications for constitutional governance.”

IPOB has called for scrutiny from both national and international observers as the appeal progresses.

Read Full Article