The Nigerian government has reportedly withdrawn its cross-appeal seeking the mandatory death penalty for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.Kanu’s special counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, disclosed the development in a social media post, saying he had received formal communication from the Federal Government confirming that it would no longer pursue the appeal.
According to the lawyer, the government had notified the relevant parties of its decision to withdraw the cross-appeal concerning the mandatory imposition of the death penalty.Ejimakor said representations had previously been made regarding the legality of mandatory capital punishment and its alleged conflict with international law.
He wrote: “UPDATE: By virtue of a formal communication I received 2 days ago, 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.”
The development comes months after the prosecution sought a death sentence for Kanu under provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.
In November 2025, the prosecution reportedly asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death penalty on the IPOB leader following his conviction on terrorism-related charges.However, Justice James Omotosho rejected the request and sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment instead.
The judge reportedly cited developments in international law and the growing global move away from capital punishment in reaching his decision.
The prosecution subsequently challenged aspects of the judgment, including the refusal to impose the mandatory death penalty.Ejimakor’s latest disclosure indicates that the Federal Government has now decided not to pursue its cross-appeal specifically on the question of mandatory capital punishment.
The development could further shape the ongoing legal proceedings involving Kanu, whose case has remained a major political and legal issue in Nigeria.
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