ABUJA, NIGERIA – June 16, 2026
A fresh legal battle has emerged in the case involving IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, as his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, has asked the Court of Appeal to overturn Kanu’s conviction, arguing that the trial was fundamentally flawed.
Ejimakor contended that the trial court committed a serious legal error by allowing Kanu to represent himself after his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from active participation in the proceedings.
According to the lawyer, Nigerian law does not permit defendants facing charges punishable by death or life imprisonment to waive legal representation. He argued that once Kanu indicated his intention to conduct his own defence, the court was legally obligated to appoint a lawyer for him, regardless of his personal preference.
Citing Section 267(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Ejimakor maintained that courts must provide legal representation for defendants facing capital offences or charges carrying life imprisonment if they are not already represented by counsel.
He further referenced Supreme Court rulings, including Josiah v. State and Ganiyu v. State, which he said established that legal representation is a mandatory requirement in serious criminal trials and that proceedings conducted without counsel could be declared invalid.
Ejimakor argued that although Kanu is capable of speaking for himself, complex criminal cases require professional legal expertise to ensure a fair trial and proper application of the law.
The lawyer urged the Court of Appeal to carefully examine the issue, insisting that the decision to allow Kanu to represent himself could become a crucial factor in determining whether the conviction will stand or be quashed.
The appeal is expected to attract significant national attention as legal experts and political observers closely monitor the next phase of the high-profile case.
