FG Drops Death-Penalty Appeal Against Nnamdi Kanu

The Nigerian government has withdrawn its cross-appeal seeking the mandatory death penalty against detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.


Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed the development on Thursday, saying he received formal communication from the government two days earlier confirming that it would no longer pursue the death-penalty aspect of its appeal.

According to Ejimakor, the government’s communication acknowledged representations made over the mandatory imposition of capital punishment and its alleged conflict with international law.

He described the decision as effectively bringing the death-penalty dispute to an end.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment after his conviction, while the government had challenged the refusal to impose the death penalty.

The latest development means the government will no longer seek to have the mandatory death penalty imposed on Kanu through its cross-appeal.

However, the decision does not mean Kanu’s entire legal battle is over. His own challenges to his conviction and the legal process surrounding his prosecution remain separate issues.