Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the Court of Appeal to quash the life imprisonment imposed on him by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho, last November 19, found him guilty of terrorism-related offences. A member of Kanu’s legal team, Aloy Ejimakor, posted a copy of the notice of appeal on his X account yesterday.

He stated: “The mother of all appeals has been filed as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu personally appeals against his conviction/sentence today, the 4th of February 2025.” The appeal was signed by Kanu, who had dismissed his lawyers, including Kanu Agabi (SAN), during the trial.

He sought an order allowing the appeal and quashing his conviction in all the counts in the charge.

Kanu prayed for an order “quashing, reversing and setting aside the sentences/punishment imposed on the appellant” by Justice Omotosho.

He sought an order of the Court of Appeal “discharging and acquitting” him “in respect of all the counts”.

Among the grounds of appeal, Kanu argued that Justice Omotosho did not consider relevant mitigation or sentencing factors in sentencing him.

He further argued that the sentence was imposed without allocutus.

Justice Omotosho imposed life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 (terrorism-related offences), 20 years imprisonment (no fine option) on Count 3 (membership of a proscribed terrorist group), and five years imprisonment (no fine option) on Count 7 (unlawful importation of a radio transmitter to further Radio Biafra broadcasts).

The judge remarked that although the Terrorism Prevention Act under which Kanu was convicted prescribes the death penalty, he chose not to impose it “as a Christian.”

Source; The Nation News