IPOB Sets 14-Day Deadline For Hearing Of Kanu’s Appeal

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has given the federal government a 14-day deadline for the listing and hearing of the appeal filed by its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, against his conviction and life sentence.

IPOB’s Head of Directorate of State (DOS), Mazi Chris Nwaogu, issued the ultimatum in a video broadcast, saying the group would consider mobilising for a boycott of the 2027 general election in the South-East and other areas it identifies as Biafraland if the appeal is not listed within the period.

The development follows renewed concerns by Kanu’s family over the delay in the hearing of his appeal.

The family had recently said Kanu wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting the immediate listing and hearing of his pending cases.

According to the family, the request was prompted by what it described as prolonged delays in proceedings relating to Kanu’s detention, conviction and life sentence.

Nwaogu alleged that the federal government had yet to file its respondent’s brief or take steps to have the appeal listed for hearing.

He said, “The federal government has not filed a Respondent’s brief, they have not listed the appeal, they have not come to court.”

He added that IPOB was giving the authorities 14 days to list the appeal, failing which the group would consider a boycott of the 2027 elections.

“We are giving them 14 days to list Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal, if they refuse, we will consider boycotting the coming elections across Biafraland and beyond,” he said.

Nwaogu also criticised aspects of the judicial proceedings in Kanu’s case and questioned the Supreme Court’s decision which set aside the Court of Appeal’s order discharging and acquitting Kanu and remitted the matter for further proceedings.

He particularly challenged aspects of the Supreme Court judgment concerning the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to try some of the counts against Kanu.

According to him, the Supreme Court’s decision could not revive charges which, in his interpretation, had already been quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Nwaogu further alleged that the authorities were reluctant to release Kanu because of concerns over his influence and political impact.

He called on the authorities to list and hear the appeal within the 14-day period.

The claims by the IPOB official were not independently established in the statement, while the federal government’s response to the ultimatum was not contained in the material available for this report.