Counsel to the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has provided fresh details on the status and next procedural steps in his client’s appeal before the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, Ejimakor disclosed that Kanu’s Notice and Grounds of Appeal were filed in February 2026, formally initiating the appellate process.
“The Notice and Grounds of Appeal were duly filed in February 2026, thereby setting the appeal process in motion,” he said.
He revealed that the record of appeal—including the charge sheet, proceedings, exhibits, rulings, judgment, and sentence—has already been compiled by the registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja, and transmitted to the appellate court.
“The complete record of appeal has been compiled and transmitted to the Court of Appeal, which now paves the way for the next stage,” Ejimakor added.
According to him, the next phase involves the filing of briefs of argument. He explained that the defense team is expected to submit its appellant’s brief within 45 days of receiving the record, outlining arguments across 22 grounds of appeal and seeking to overturn the conviction.
“Our legal team has 45 days to file the appellant’s brief, which will address 22 grounds of appeal challenging the conviction,” he stated.
He added that the federal government, as respondent, will file its brief within 30 days of being served, after which the defense may submit a reply within 14 days if necessary.
“The respondent will then file its brief within 30 days, and we may respond with a reply brief within 14 days where necessary,” he said.
Ejimakor noted that the written briefs will form the core of the appeal, with oral submissions during the hearing limited to clarifications, stressing that no new evidence or witness testimony would be admitted at this stage.
“The appeal will be determined largely on the briefs, while oral arguments will only serve to clarify key issues. No fresh evidence will be entertained,” he explained.
He further stated that once all briefs are filed, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria will fix a hearing date before a three-member panel of justices.
“Upon completion of filings, the court will fix a hearing date, and a panel of three justices will hear arguments from both sides,” he said.
Following the hearing, the court is expected to reserve judgment, which may be delivered within weeks or a few months but not exceeding 90 days.
Ejimakor outlined possible outcomes of the appeal, including the court allowing the appeal and quashing the conviction, dismissing it and affirming the judgment, or ordering a retrial.
He urged the public to avoid speculation and focus on the established legal process.
“People should therefore focus on these clear, sequential stages rather than daily rumors or believing that the appeal process will follow the same pattern seen at the High Court,” he said.
“This is the standard, transparent roadmap laid down by Nigerian law, and MNK’s appeal cannot be any different. The appeal is progressing exactly as the rules require—one procedural step at a time.”
