Federal Government Drops Death Penalty Appeal in Nnamdi Kanu Case
Federal Government Drops Death Penalty Appeal in Nnamdi Kanu Case By City Pulse News August 23, 2026 Category: Law & Judiciary / National News The Federal Government has formally withdrawn its cross-appeal seeking the death penalty against detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, marking a significant shift in one of Nigeria’s most prolonged and politically sensitive legal battles. Special Counsel to Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development earlier this week. According to him, the government has officially communicated that it no longer intends to pursue capital punishment in the case. The notice effectively closes the chapter on the state’s attempt to secure the death sentence, which had been a major point of contention since the trial court’s judgment last year. Background to the Case Nnamdi Kanu was convicted on seven terrorism-related charges by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025. The ch...