Ignore rumours, Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal on track — lawyer

A member of the legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu has said the appeal against his conviction is progressing in line with established legal procedures, dismissing claims of delay or abandonment.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Aloy Ejimakor said the process is moving as expected and urged the public to disregard speculation surrounding the case.

According to him, the appeal formally commenced in February 2026 with the filing of a notice and grounds of appeal, a step he described as critical in activating the appellate process.

Ejimakor said the compilation and transmission of the record of appeal by the Federal High Court in Abuja has been completed, marking a transition to the next phase — the exchange of briefs between the defence and the federal government.

He explained that Kanu’s legal team is required to submit its brief of argument within 45 days of receiving the record, after which the prosecution has 30 days to respond.

“The appeal is already live,” Ejimakor said, noting that proceedings at this stage are largely based on written submissions, with oral arguments limited to clarifications during hearings.

He added that appellate courts do not take fresh evidence or hear new witnesses, stressing that the process follows a structured sequence distinct from trial court proceedings.

Ejimakor said while the timeline may span several months, cases involving terrorism charges are often given priority.

He reiterated that the appeal is proceeding according to legal requirements and advised the public to focus on the defined stages rather than unverified claims.

In November 2025, James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on multiple terrorism-related counts.

Additional sentences of 20 years and five years were handed down on other counts in the seven-count charge.

Kanu is currently serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto.

In his appeal filed on February 4 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, the IPOB leader is seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentence.

The appeal argues that the trial court imposed a life sentence without allocutus — a procedure that allows a defendant to speak before sentencing.

Among the reliefs sought are orders to quash the conviction, set aside the sentence, and discharge and acquit the appellant on all counts.