The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened to boycott the 2027 elections in the south-east if the federal government fails to ensure that an appeal filed by filed by Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is heard.
Kanu serving a prison sentence in Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism charges.
Chris Nwangu, IPOB head of directorate of state (HOD), issued the threat in a video, accusing the federal government of failing to file its respondents’ brief or list the appeal for hearing.
“A country that rushed to convict is now too frightened to defend the conviction,” Nwangu said.
“We are giving them 14 days to hear Onye Ndu’s appeal. If they refuse, IPOB will review its petitions and will consider boycotting the coming elections across Biafra land and beyond.
“A government that will not face its own court of appeal has no right to demand our votes.”
BACKGROUND
In November 2025, James Omotosho, the presiding judge of the federal high court, Abuja, sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment after convicting him on terrorism charges.
Kanu was handed life imprisonment on counts one, four, five and six of the seven-count charge.
He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on count three and five years on count seven.
On February 4, the IPOB filed an appeal at the court of appeal in Abuja, asking the appellate court to quash his terrorism conviction and sentence.
The IPOB leader argued that the life imprisonment sentence was imposed without allocutus — a statement by the defendant explaining why the court should not impose the maximum sentence for the crime.
“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal quashing the conviction of the Appellant in all the counts in the charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 by the Federal High Court Judge,” part of the relief sought reads.
“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal quashing, reversing and setting aside the sentences/punishment imposed on the Appellant by the Honourable trial Federal High Court Judge in the charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
“An Order of the Honourable Court of Appeal discharging and acquitting the Appellant in respect of all the counts in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.”
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