IPOB Faults UIPC, Says Kanu’s Conviction Relies On Repealed Law

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has faulted the United Igbo Political Congress (UIPC) over its place on the conviction of its chief, Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that the six terrorism counts towards him had been primarily based on a repealed regulation.

Reacting on Wednesday to UIPC’s assertion, IPOB via its media officer, Rev. Chimezie Ochụlọ, stated the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, underneath which it alleged the counts had been introduced, had been repealed by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The group was reacting to a press release issued by the UIPC on October 27 and signed by High Chief Major (Dr.) C.O.C. Uzor (Rtd.).

IPOB disagreed with the UIPC’s place that the query of whether or not Justice James Omotosho breached Section 36(12) of the Constitution in convicting Kanu must be decided by a reliable court docket, significantly the Court of Appeal.

According to IPOB, the judgment delivered on November 20, 2025, confirmed that the repealed 2013 laws was relied upon in convicting Kanu on the six terrorism counts.

“The Nigerian Constitution says plain and clear: You cannot jail someone using a law that no longer exists,” the group stated.

IPOB argued that the repeal of the laws raised questions concerning the authorized foundation of the conviction. It maintained that the problem shouldn’t be dismissed as one that might solely be examined via appellate proceedings.

IPOB additionally raised issues concerning the progress of Kanu’s attraction, alleging that he filed the attraction on February 4, 2026, and served the federal government with the related paperwork on June 5.

It claimed that the federal government had but to file a response and that the court docket had not mounted a date for the listening to.

The group additional stated attorneys and members of Kanu’s household wrote letters on August 18 to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the top of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Registrar, searching for intervention over the delay.

According to IPOB, the letters had not acquired responses as of the date of its assertion.

The group questioned the tempo of the proceedings, evaluating the alleged delay in scheduling Kanu’s present attraction with earlier court docket proceedings involving his launch.

It accused the UIPC of failing to handle these issues in its assertion, arguing that discussions about due course of must also take into account the progress of the attraction.

IPOB additionally criticised the UIPC’s disclaimer that its assertion didn’t represent a authorized opinion on pending court docket instances.

The group stated it disagreed with the UIPC’s method to the controversy surrounding the conviction and urged its supporters to reject the organisation’s place.

Kanu was convicted in November 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment in a terrorism-related case.