The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that the Federal Government admitted that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, acted without jurisdiction in the conviction and sentencing of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group made the claim while announcing the commencement of appellate proceedings challenging Kanu’s conviction and life sentence. According to IPOB, Kanu’s legal team filed its brief of argument before the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday, while the Federal Government also submitted a cross-appeal in response.
Kanu was convicted on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Omotosho on November 20, 2025. He is currently serving the sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto State.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB argued that the Federal Government’s cross-appeal contained an admission that the trial court lacked jurisdiction when it imposed a life sentence instead of the death penalty prescribed under the law.
The group contended that such an admission raises fundamental questions about the validity of the entire judgment, maintaining that a court cannot lawfully convict a defendant if it lacks jurisdiction over any part of the proceedings.
IPOB further argued that the conviction and sentence are inseparable, insisting that if the court lacked jurisdiction to impose sentence, it could not validly sustain the conviction itself.
The separatist group said the appeal now extends beyond Kanu’s case and has become a test of the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system and its adherence to established legal principles.
According to IPOB, the Court of Appeal will be required to determine whether long-standing doctrines relating to jurisdiction and criminal procedure remain applicable in the case.
The group also reiterated its position that Kanu’s conviction was based on provisions of a law it claims had already been repealed before the judgment was delivered.
Describing the appeal as significant for constitutional governance and the rule of law, IPOB called on legal observers, civil society groups, and members of the international community to closely monitor the proceedings.
The Federal Government has yet to publicly respond to IPOB’s interpretation of the issues raised in the appeal and cross-appeal.
