JUST IN: FG Withdraws Death Penalty Appeal Against Nnamdi Kanu
Federal Government has withdrawn its cross-appeal seeking the mandatory death penalty against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr Kanu’s special counsel Aloy Ejimakor disclosed this on Thursday, saying he received formal communication from the government two days earlier.
Mr Ejimakor said the communication confirmed that the government would no longer pursue the cross-appeal on the death penalty.
He shared the communication on X, which stated that representations had been made over the mandatory imposition of the death penalty and its alleged breach of international law.
Reacting to the development, Ejimakor wrote, “UPDATE: By virtue of a formal communication I received 2 days ago, I can confirm that the Nigerian government ‘does not intend to pursue their cross appeal on the question of the mandatory death penalty’ against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Case closed.”
The development followed the prosecution’s request in November 2025 for Kanu to be sentenced to death under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.
However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment instead of death.
The judge cited international developments and the move by several countries away from capital punishment in reaching the decision.
The Federal Government subsequently filed a cross-appeal on the issue of the mandatory death penalty.
Ejimakor’s latest disclosure means the government will no longer pursue that aspect of the appeal.
Nnamdi Kanu has remained in custody since his rendition to Nigeria and has challenged the charges and legal processes in his case.
