Emmanuel Kanu Challenges Brother's Terrorism Conviction

Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is contesting the terrorism conviction of his brother in a Federal High Court in Abuja. During proceedings on November 20, 2025, Emmanuel Kanu argued that the conviction does not comply with Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that a person cannot be convicted of a criminal offense unless the offense is prescribed by written law.

He contended that the court failed to identify the specific law under which Nnamdi Kanu was convicted, claiming that the conviction relied on provisions from the repealed Terrorism Prevention Act of 2013 and the current Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act of 2022. Emmanuel Kanu raised concerns about whether the conviction met constitutional standards, as the court had not explicitly identified a standalone offense created by the 2022 Act.

The case continues to attract significant legal scrutiny and attention, particularly following a previous court ruling that discharged Nnamdi Kanu, which was later set aside by the Supreme Court.