The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally withdrawn its cross-appeal seeking the death penalty against detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB Special Counsel Aloy Ejimakor confirmed the development, revealing that official communications from the government state it no longer intends to pursue capital punishment for the separatist leader. The state had previously challenged the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment rather than executing him.
Justice James Omotosho convicted Kanu on seven terrorism-related charges on 20 November 2025. Although the prosecution demanded the death sentence under the applicable statutes, Justice Omotosho rejected the request. Handing down concurrent life sentences, the judge cited the need to temper justice with mercy alongside growing international opposition to capital punishment.
Ejimakor noted that legal representations highlighting the conflict between mandatory capital punishment and international law contributed to the decision. While the government has abandoned its cross-appeal for the death penalty, Kanu’s defense team continues to challenge his underlying conviction and life sentence at the Court of Appeal. He remains in custody at the Sokoto Custodial Centre.
