(DDM) – Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has cautioned supporters against emotional reactions following the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that only a politically driven intervention can secure a meaningful breakthrough.
DDM gathered that Ejiofor issued a detailed public statement on Monday, warning that Kanu’s appeal would fail if filed without strategic political groundwork involving credible Igbo leaders and influential stakeholders.
Kanu was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025.
The ruling immediately ignited global reactions from IPOB members, human rights groups, and diaspora supporters who expressed shock and deep frustration over the severity of the sentence.
Ejiofor stated that this heightened emotional climate could derail the structured effort needed to challenge the judgment effectively.
He argued that misinformation, sensational claims, and public theatrics were already overshadowing sober and strategic legal analysis.
He said he was compelled to address the public due to the rising wave of concern and the renewed calls for his full return to Kanu’s defence team.
Ejiofor explained that the next phase of the legal process requires a calm, coordinated, and discreet strategy rather than disjointed activism or inflammatory commentary.
He insisted that only Igbo political leaders of unquestionable reputation, supported by respected global legal experts, possess the influence needed to shift the political landscape in Kanu’s favour.
According to him, the intervention must include governors from the South-East, Igbo cabinet members in the federal government, and nationally recognised figures who can negotiate political concessions.
He declined to list specific names but maintained that those involved must be individuals capable of shaping outcomes at the highest levels of government.
Ejiofor also emphasised that an internationally acclaimed legal team must oversee the appellate process once the political structure is firmly in place.
He said the success of the appeal at the Court of Appeal hinges more on political alignment than on courtroom arguments alone.
He cautioned that a rushed appeal filed in haste, without political support, would likely collapse under bias, procedural obstacles, and technical complications.
He described such an unprepared move as “dead on arrival” and stressed that realism, not pessimism, informed his warning.
Ejiofor stated that the first mandatory step before initiating any appeal is a joint visit to Nnamdi Kanu at the correctional centre.
He said the visit is necessary to obtain Kanu’s explicit consent, harmonise strategy, manage expectations, and ensure unity among all actors involved.
He highlighted that after securing Kanu’s approval, discreet engagement with the Federal Government must begin immediately to explore a politically workable resolution.
Ejiofor warned that online hostility, emotional outbursts, and uncoordinated public declarations could sabotage the delicate process.
He criticised the rising wave of opportunism from individuals seeking political visibility, noting that some previously contributed to Kanu’s current predicament.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Ejiofor appealed for calm, urging supporters worldwide to remain hopeful and focused on strategy rather than anger.
He reassured them that with discipline, political alignment, and a united legal approach, success remains possible.
He declared that the struggle is not lost and emphasised that coordinated efforts will ultimately lead to victory.