Nigeria’s Court of Appeal has struck out an appeal filed by convicted separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that the application had become academic following his conviction and life sentence for terrorism offences.
A three-member panel held on Friday that Kanu’s claims of violations of his fundamental rights – including access to healthcare, human dignity and freedom of religion – could no longer stand after the Federal High Court convicted him on November 20 and ordered his transfer to a correctional facility.
Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo, delivering the lead judgment, said Kanu’s request to be moved from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison could not be considered because his counsel confirmed he had already been relocated to the Sokoto correctional centre.
The court noted that Kanu had previously indicated a preference for prison custody, making his prayer for transfer moot.
The decision upheld a July 3 ruling by Justice Taiwo Taiwo (now retired), who had earlier dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit for lack of proof. Respondents in the appeal included the Director-General of the DSS, the DSS, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Separately, multiple prison sources told local media that Kanu’s arrival at the Sokoto facility prompted significant attention among inmates, with some reportedly expressing admiration and referring to him informally as a “leader”. Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
Kanu, head of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was found guilty on seven counts related to terrorism, secessionist activities, destruction of public property and the importation of an unregistered radio transmitter. He had been held by the DSS for several years before his conviction and transfer.
Kanu’s legal team has not publicly commented on the appeal court’s ruling, and the Nigerian Correctional Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
