Kanu’s Terrorism Appeal Underway, Lawyer Outlines Next Legal Steps

Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has said that his client’s appeal against the terrorism conviction is currently progressing through the legal process.

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Ejimakor disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the notice of appeal filed in February 2026 had already triggered the appellate process.

The lawyer urged supporters and the public to focus on the established legal procedures guiding the appeal rather than speculation or rumours.

According to him, the appeal will follow clearly defined stages until it is fully heard and determined by the Court of Appeal.

“People should therefore focus on these clear, sequential stages rather than daily rumours or believing that the appeal process will follow the same pattern and procedure seen in the High Court before Justice Omotosho,” he said.

Ejimakor explained that the first stage involves the compilation and transmission of the Record of Appeal by the registrar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The record includes the charge sheet, court proceedings, exhibits, rulings, judgment and sentence from the trial court.

He said the process had already been completed.

“For terrorism-related cases, the Practice Direction fast-tracks this. So, the registrar has a short window to finalise and transmit the record to the Court of Appeal registry. This has been done,” he said.

The lawyer said the next stage involves the filing of briefs of argument, which contain detailed written submissions by both parties.

According to him, Kanu’s legal team is expected to file its Appellant’s Brief within 45 days of receiving the record of appeal.

This document, he said, will outline the legal arguments on 22 grounds of appeal and explain why the conviction should be overturned.

Afterwards, the Federal Government, as the respondent, will file its Respondent’s Brief within 30 days of receiving Kanu’s submissions.

If new issues arise, Kanu’s lawyers may submit a Reply Brief within 14 days. Ejimakor said the briefs form the main basis of the appellate court’s deliberations.

Once the briefs have been filed, the Court of Appeal registry will fix a date for the hearing and notify the parties.

At the hearing, lawyers for both sides will present oral arguments before a three-member panel of justices, who may ask questions and review the written submissions.

Ejimakor clarified that no fresh evidence or oral testimony would be allowed at this stage.

“To be clear, no oral testimony or evidence (such as was done in the High Court) will be allowed,” he said.

According to the lawyer, after hearing the arguments, the appellate court will reserve a date for judgment, which must be delivered within 90 days.

He said the court may either:

– Allow the appeal, quashing the conviction and sentence and discharging Kanu

– Dismiss the appeal, thereby upholding the conviction and sentence

– Order a retrial, which would return the defendant to an unconvicted status and reopen the case

The judgment of the Court of Appeal will stand as the final decision unless either party decides to proceed to the Supreme Court.

Ejimakor emphasised that the appeal is already active and progressing as required by law.

He said, “It is noteworthy that the appeal is already ‘live’; the filing of the notice in February 2026 started the clock.

“The next visible milestone is the transmission of the Record of Appeal, which has been done, followed by the exchange of briefs, which is in process.”

He added that terrorism-related appeals are typically prioritised and may move faster under existing legal practice directions.