Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal adviser, Aloy Ejimakor, said on Thursday that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra will challenge the Federal High Court judgment sentencing him to life imprisonment.
Recall that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was on Thursday sentenced by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja to life behind bars.
Speaking with journalists after the ruling, Ejimakor questioned the legal precedent being set.
He said, “What kind of precedent is being laid here? We are heading to the Court of Appeal”.
“The Court of Appeal is the only court in this country, or the next court in this country, that sits as a jury; we are going to approach justices there to check out what happened in court today (Thursday).
“And we are pretty sure the justices will agree with us that today was the symbol of the travesty of justice that everybody has been suspecting.
“If the Court of Appeal disagrees with us, we head to the Supreme Court; Nnamdi Kanu is not going to stand convicted, he’s going to get overturned.
“This is the only day I have witnessed a man being convicted for mere pronouncements, just for what he said from his mouth, not what he did with his own hands.
“The verdict is not consistent with the evidence laid before the court; the sentence is overboard, cruel and unusual.
“How can you convict a man for making a mere broadcast from a location that was never named, and he never tied that broadcast to any single incident of violence, or even someone slapping someone, not to talk of terrorism?”
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday.
Although a terrorism conviction carries the death penalty, Justice Omotosho said he opted for life imprisonment after considering the “merciful nature of God and Jesus Christ” and Kanu’s Christian faith.
The court imposed life sentences on counts one, two, four, five and six of the seven-count charge.
For count three, which involved membership of a proscribed terrorist group, the judge ordered 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Count seven, which related to importing a radio transmitter for activities linked to Radio Biafra, attracted a five-year sentence without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho remarked that Kanu had behaved unruly throughout the trial and noted that the law permitted the death penalty for terrorism offences.
He also directed that Kanu be held in protective custody in any secure location except Kuje Prison in Abuja.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of the seized radio transmitter to the Federal Government.
Before sentencing, prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) sought the death penalty as a deterrent, but the judge opted for leniency.
Kanu’s prosecution has spanned more than a decade, involving high-profile terrorism and treason allegations.
He was first arrested in 2015, fled Nigeria in 2017 after a military raid on his home, and was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 before being brought back to Nigeria—a move he says violated international law.
Thursday’s ruling marked the conclusion of his seven-count trial before Justice Omotosho on terrorism and related charges.
The amended charges, filed under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013 (as amended in 2022) and one count under the Criminal Code Act, accused Kanu of leading IPOB in acts of terrorism against Nigeria; instigating civil unrest through sit-at-home orders; issuing threats that escalated attacks on security personnel; directing followers to produce explosives; and smuggling a radio transmitter into the country.
Justice Omotosho, after more than seven hours of reading the judgment, held that the prosecution presented credible evidence establishing its case.
He said Kanu’s broadcasts, coupled with widespread violence and killings in the South-East, amounted to acts of terrorism.
On counts three, four, and five concerning membership of a proscribed group and incitement, the judge said the prosecution’s evidence was compelling.
The court accepted arguments that Kanu was linked to IPOB and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The judge added that Kanu’s broadcasts led to deadly attacks on security operatives and destruction of property, including police stations.
He concluded that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, stressing that Kanu’s refusal to present a defence left the court with no alternative but to accept the evidence before it.
According to the judge, Kanu took a significant risk by choosing to rely on the prosecution’s case, a decision that gravely damaged his defence.
Consequently, he convicted Kanu on all seven counts.
After the prosecution closed its case, Kanu was scheduled to open his defence.
However, he unexpectedly dismissed his legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), insisting he would represent himself.
Despite repeated adjournments and the judge’s pleas, Kanu refused to open his defence, claiming the court lacked jurisdiction because the terrorism statute had been repealed.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court had ordered Kanu back to the Federal High Court for trial on a seven-count charge.
The apex court ruled that the Court of Appeal erred in stopping his trial on the basis of the Federal Government’s illegal actions during his arrest.
Justice Emma Agim, delivering the lead judgment for the Supreme Court, said no Nigerian law prevents a trial from continuing despite misconduct by the government.
While condemning the military invasion of Kanu’s home and his forceful rendition from Kenya, the court said he could seek redress through a human rights suit.
The panel criticized the Federal Government for disregarding international law and Nigeria’s global image when it carried out the operations.
“You must enforce law in accordance with laid down laws, and not to resort to inhuman treatment”, the court said.
Justice Lawal also faulted the Federal High Court for revoking Kanu’s bail after he fled due to the attack on his home.
The panel held that no law invalidates a trial because of illegality against a defendant, adding that Nigeria has not developed to the point where such a trial would be halted.
The Supreme Court accordingly upheld the Federal Government’s appeal and dismissed Kanu’s request for full acquittal.
Mixed Reactions Trail Verdict Among Senior Lawyers
Reacting to the ruling, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Victor Opara described the outcome as deeply troubling but not beyond legal remedy.
He said the defendant should have mounted a strong defence considering the seriousness of the charges.
“From the snippets of information available, this is a matter where a formidable defence team was necessary. Criminal procedure, particularly in capital or terrorism-related charges requires expertise. You may be brilliant or knowledgeable, but litigation involving the death penalty demands technical skill and structured legal strategy,” he said.
Opara criticized Kanu’s move to dismiss his legal team. “I do not understand what informed that strategy. There are several defences available in law, but you can only properly deploy them when you have a competent team.
“The lawyers initially on record are some of the finest minds in the country. I know them personally. They are sound and capable, and I expected a strong contest to the terrorism allegations,” he explained.
He said the court’s decision was inevitable once no defence was presented. “When you abandon your defence, it leaves the prosecution’s case unchallenged. An undefended case puts the judge in a position where he must rely solely on the evidence before him. And if the prosecution’s case is not tested or debunked, the court cannot manufacture a defence on your behalf,” he stated.
Igbo Chieftain Faults Ruling, Accuses FG of Brewing More Hostility
A senior Ohanaeze Ndigbo figure and Lagos-based lawyer, who asked not to be named, sharply criticized the verdict, calling it expected.
According to him, “I am too angry to fully address the judgment right now, but in due time I will. We all knew what they intended to do to him. At least now, they will have to move him into the general prison system. He has been kept in solitary confinement for years. But this government will learn the hard way. They are already battling Boko Haram, ISWAP, kidnappers, and even contending with international pressure like that from America, yet they still find ways to create more enemies at home.
“It seems that once people get into government, all sense of responsibility and clear tenure plans simply disappear”.
Akingbolu Welcomes Verdict, Says Justice Has Been Delivered
Human rights lawyer Kabir Akingbolu hailed the ruling as long overdue, insisting it removed ambiguity around the case.
He said the judgment proved Kanu was not held unlawfully and that due legal process was followed.
“At least we can now say justice has been done. Anyone who is dissatisfied can go on appeal. There is no basis for further controversy. He has been convicted by a competent court, and he is a criminal, now certified by law,” he stated.
Akingbolu argued that the punishment could have been harsher. “In fact, the offence warranted a death sentence. I don’t know why the judge opted for life imprisonment. Nigerians know how many families suffered and how many properties were destroyed because of his criminal activities. We remember the destruction in Lagos, burning, killings and the ongoing chaos in the East. Nobody is above the law,” he said.
Abaribe Labels Life Sentence a Predetermined Outcome
Former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe lamented the conviction, saying the verdict was not unexpected.
In a statement issued by his media aide Uchenna Awom, Abaribe said the outcome reflected a long-standing agenda.
He said that once the Federal Government refused to include Kanu in previous amnesty arrangements, “we knew that today’s (Thursday) outcome was imminent.”
“Is it not an irony that negotiations and peace deals with rampaging terrorists in the North East, North West were gleefully initiated by the local government, states and the Federal Government just like the amnesty to ex-militants in the South South, who were rewarded with lucrative oil pipeline contracts. This is to say that justice in Nigeria is not for the South East”, Abaribe further said.
DSS Files Terrorism Charges Against Seven Alleged IPOB Operatives
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday brought terrorism charges against seven alleged IPOB commanders linked to Simon Ekpa at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The cases—FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025—filed on November 19, accuse the suspects of receiving funds and logistical support from Ekpa and other foreign-based IPOB members.
In a statement released by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS said one of the suspects, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, an undocumented Nigerien running an unlicensed Bureau de Change, was deeply involved in terrorism financing.
The DSS alleged that Larabo handled large cash transfers for IPOB activities in the South-East and worked closely with Ekpa, described as a financier and coordinator of IPOB/ESN operations.
The statement added that the defendants comprised commanders, arms couriers, ESN fighters and operatives receiving directives from Ekpa, who has been convicted of terrorism offences and sentenced to six years imprisonment in Finland.
