US Congress Urges Nigerian Government To Ensure Fair Trial For Nnamdi Kanu

The United States Congress has called on the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, comply with constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations.

The directive followed the passage of Resolution H.Res. 1321 on May 22, 2026, urging the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to engage Nigerian authorities on Kanu’s case.

The resolution was sponsored by Congressman John James, who asked Congress to urge Nigeria to conduct all legal processes involving Kanu in line with constitutional standards and global human rights commitments.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on terrorism related charges filed by the Nigerian government. He is currently serving his sentence at Sokoto Prison.

His legal team has challenged the judgment, arguing that the conviction was based on repealed laws. An appeal has since been filed, although hearing on the matter has not yet commenced.

The US Congress also urged the Nigerian government to consider the findings of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Kanu’s detention and act on its recommendations.

Concerns were also raised over Kanu’s incarceration in Sokoto Prison, with his lawyers arguing that the distance from Abuja, where his appeal is expected to be heard, could affect preparations for the case. Questions have also been raised about his safety in the facility.

Part of the resolution stated that concerns had been raised by legal observers and international bodies over the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2021 and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria.

The resolution further referenced a July 20, 2022 opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which stated that Kanu’s detention violated international human rights obligations and called for his release and appropriate remedies.