By Ahmed Yusuf, Abuja
National News – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has argued that the Federal Government’s cross-appeal in the case involving its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has raised fresh legal questions about the validity of his conviction and the jurisdiction of the trial court.
In a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB maintained that issues contained in the government’s appeal could have significant implications for the case and Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The group contended that the Federal Government, through its cross-appeal, had effectively acknowledged that the trial court lacked jurisdiction in certain aspects of the sentencing process, a situation it claimed undermines the entire conviction.
According to IPOB, jurisdiction is fundamental to criminal proceedings and cannot be separated into different stages of a trial. It argued that if a court is found to have acted without jurisdiction during sentencing, the conviction itself cannot stand because both processes are legally connected.
The organisation further stated that the Court of Appeal would have to determine whether the conviction could be sustained in view of the jurisdictional issues it said had been raised by the government.
IPOB also alleged that the trial was marred by procedural irregularities, including the application of repealed laws, denial of fair hearing, failure to disclose relevant statutes, and the withholding of evidence. It maintained that these factors collectively rendered the conviction legally defective.
The group added that the outcome of the appeal could have broader implications for future criminal prosecutions, particularly in matters relating to jurisdiction, fair hearing and constitutional safeguards.
It called on members of the international community, legal practitioners, diplomats and human rights organisations to monitor the proceedings closely, describing the case as a critical test of adherence to established legal principles.
Kanu is facing terrorism-related charges instituted by the Federal Government over activities linked to IPOB.
The case has remained one of Nigeria’s most closely watched legal matters. In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu, ruling that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria violated domestic and international law.
However, the Federal Government challenged the judgment, and the Supreme Court subsequently set aside the discharge order, directing that the trial should continue.
Following the resumption of proceedings, Kanu was convicted and sentenced by the court. He is currently serving his sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
