Nanoporous carbons (NC) materials are synthesized by direct carbonization of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), a well-known metal organic framework (MOF). Here we study the efficiency of the obtained MOF-derived nanoporous carbon (MOF-NC) particles as adsorbent for the removal of copper (Cu) ions from an aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior is carefully studied from both kinetic and equilibrium point of view from which the obtained data can be described with different models. The efficiency of MOF-NC for removing Cu ion is compared with other carbonaceous adsorbents. The effect of solution pH and temperature on the removal percentage is also studied.