FG won’t pursue death penalty appeal against Nnamdi Kanu — Ejimakor

Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, says the Nigerian government has decided not to proceed with its cross-appeal seeking a mandatory death sentence against the separatist leader.

Ejimakor disclosed this on Thursday, saying he received formal communication about the government’s decision two days earlier.

According to the message shared by the lawyer on X, the government had informed the relevant authorities that it would not continue with its cross-appeal concerning the mandatory imposition of the death penalty.

The communication partly read: “We have received notice that the Government does not intend to pursue their cross appeal on the question of the mandatory death penalty.

“We understand that the E C made representations on the mandatory imposition of the death penalty being in breach of international law.”

Reacting to the development, Ejimakor described the matter as settled.

“UPDATE: By virtue of a formal communication I received 2 days ago (see screenshot), 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,” he wrote.

In November 2025, prosecutors had sought a mandatory death sentence for Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.

However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to impose the death penalty, citing the global shift away from capital punishment.

The court instead sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.