The counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, has said there is no unusual delay in the appeal against his client’s conviction.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ejimakor urged the public to disregard speculation suggesting that the appeal process had stalled or been abandoned.
He explained that the appeal challenging Kanu’s conviction is ongoing and advancing according to established legal procedures.
“As already known, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Notice (and Grounds) of appeal was filed in February 2026. This is the first and most important step that activated the appeal,” he said.
Ejimakor noted that the registrar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has completed the compilation and transmission of the record of appeal, which is a major stage in the process.
According to him, the matter has now moved to the exchange of briefs between Kanu’s legal team and the federal government.
“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 said.
He stressed that the appeal is already “live”, explaining that the filing of the notice in February formally set the legal process in motion.
“It is noteworthy that the appeal is already ‘live’ – the filing of the Notice in February 2026 started the clock,” he said.
Ejimakor added that Kanu’s lawyers are required to file their brief within 45 days of receiving the record, after which the prosecution has 30 days to respond. He explained that the appeal court will rely mainly on written briefs, while oral arguments will only clarify issues already raised.
He also clarified that no fresh evidence or oral testimony will be introduced at this appellate stage.
Urging the public to ignore rumours, Ejimakor said the process follows a clear and structured legal path.
“People should therefore focus on these clear, sequential stages rather than daily rumors or believing that the appeal process will follow the same pattern and procedure seen in the High Court before Justice Omotosho,” he said.
He added that although the appeal may take months, terrorism-related cases are usually given priority for quicker hearing.
“This is the standard, transparent roadmap laid down by Nigerian law, and MNK’s appeal cannot be any different. So, the appeal is progressing exactly as the rules require – one procedural step at a time,” Ejimakor said.
In November 2025, Justice James Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on terrorism charges. Kanu is currently serving his sentence at the correctional centre in Sokoto while seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentence through the Court of Appeal.