IPOB Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal

IPOB Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to FG: Fix Hearing Date for Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal or Face 2027 Election Boycott

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has officially issued a strict 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding the immediate listing and hearing of the pending court appeal for their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The separatist group warned that if the government fails to comply within two weeks, it will launch a massive campaign to boycott the upcoming 2027 general elections across the South-East region and other parts of what it calls Biafraland.

“Afraid to Defend the Conviction” — IPOB Speaks Out

The declaration was delivered in a video broadcast by Mazi Chris Nwaogu, the Head of Directorate of State for IPOB.

This move follows growing concerns from Kanu’s family over protracted delays in his legal appeal against his conviction and life sentence. Kanu’s legal team recently disclosed that the Biafran leader wrote directly to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal to request a prompt hearing.

Speaking on the delays, Nwaogu accused the Federal Government of rushing to convict Kanu while deliberately stalling the appellate process.

“The Federal Government has not filed a Respondent’s brief; they have not listed the appeal; they have not come to court. A country that rushed to convict is now too frightened to defend the conviction,” Nwaogu stated.

“We are giving them 14 days to list Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal; if they refuse, we will consider boycotting the coming elections across Biafraland and beyond. A government that cannot face its Court of Appeal has no right to demand our votes.”

A Timeline of Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Battles

Nnamdi Kanu’s long legal struggle with the Nigerian state has spanned over a decade, marked by high-profile arrests, bail, and international extradition debates:

• 2015: Arrested on charges relating to treasonable felony and terrorism.

• 2017: Granted bail by an Abuja High Court. Later fled Nigeria following a military operation at his Afaraukwu home in Abia State.

• 2021: Arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in what his legal team termed an extraordinary rendition.

• October 2022: The Court of Appeal in Abuja quashed all charges against Kanu, ruling that his illegal extradition from Kenya stripped the trial court of jurisdiction.

• Supreme Court Intervention: The apex court overturned the discharge order and sent the case back for trial on remaining counts, leading to the current appeal stalemate.

Judicial System Under Scrutiny

In his broadcast, Nwaogu heavily criticized the Nigerian judiciary, alleging that the ongoing handling of Kanu’s trial and appeal reveals deeper flaws within the nation’s legal infrastructure.

He specifically faulted the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court, arguing that the apex court overreached by ruling on counts that had already been quashed by the appellate court.

Nwaogu warned that the handling of this trial will serve as a defining moment:

“This judicial conspiracy through the trial court to the remittal and the present silence will shame the Chief Justice of Nigeria and all lawyers who still pretend this system is healthy. This case will either reset the Nigerian judiciary or expose it.”

With the clock ticking on the 14-day deadline, all eyes remain on the Federal Government and the Judiciary to see whether an official court date will be scheduled.

💬 What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you think a court date will be scheduled before the 14 days lapse? Will an election boycott in the South-East impact the political landscape ahead of 2027?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with your network!