RismadarVoice Reporters, June 2, 2026
The United States Congress has called on the Secretary of State to engage the Nigerian government over the trial, conviction, and continued imprisonment of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The request followed a congressional resolution adopted on May 22, 2026, under H.Res. 1321, introduced by Congressman John James. Lawmakers urged the U.S. State Department to open diplomatic discussions with Nigerian authorities to ensure that Kanu’s legal proceedings comply with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
Kanu was convicted in November 2025 by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto State.
His legal team has challenged the judgment, arguing that the conviction was based on repealed legislation and that due process was not properly observed. An appeal against the ruling has been filed but has yet to be heard.
In the resolution, U.S. lawmakers also expressed concern over Kanu’s circumstances of arrest in 2021, his transfer to Nigeria, and subsequent detention, referencing earlier findings by international bodies, including a United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which had raised questions about the legality and fairness of his detention.
The congressional motion further cited concerns about access to legal representation, detention conditions, and alleged limitations on medical care, noting that prolonged detention without adequate healthcare raises humanitarian issues.
Lawmakers also referenced human rights principles under international law, including provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly regarding fair trial rights and humane treatment of detainees.
The resolution called on Nigerian authorities to take into account international recommendations and ensure that Kanu is granted consistent access to legal counsel, appropriate medical attention, and humane detention conditions while his legal proceedings continue.
It also encouraged the U.S. Secretary of State to engage Nigerian officials on broader concerns relating to due process and respect for fundamental rights.
Reaffirming Washington’s long-standing commitment to human rights advocacy, the resolution noted that the United States has historically intervened diplomatically in cases involving individuals it considers potentially subject to wrongful detention.
