U.S. lawmakers have called on the Federal Government to ensure that ongoing legal proceedings involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, are conducted in full compliance with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards, stressing the need for due process, fair trial rights, and humane treatment.
The call is contained in House Resolution 1321, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative John James and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The resolution urges Nigerian authorities to ensure that all judicial proceedings involving Kanu adhere strictly to the rule of law and internationally recognised human rights obligations.
It also raises concerns highlighted by international bodies, legal experts, and human rights organisations regarding the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2021, and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria, noting that questions have persisted over whether the process complied with applicable legal and diplomatic standards.
The resolution described Kanu as a political figure known for advocating on behalf of communities in southeastern Nigeria, and noted that he has publicly expressed views on self-determination and governance through speeches and advocacy activities.
Lawmakers further referenced the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention dated July 20, 2022, which found that Kanu’s detention violated international human rights obligations and called for his release, along with appropriate remedies. It also cited rulings by Kenyan courts on the legality of his transfer from Kenya to Nigeria.
According to the document, concerns have also been raised by human rights organisations over due process, access to legal counsel, and conditions of detention. It added that prolonged detention without adequate medical care raises serious humanitarian concerns that warrant urgent attention.
The resolution emphasised that the protection of freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and humane treatment of detainees are fundamental principles recognised under international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It stated that the United States maintains a longstanding commitment to promoting human rights and the rule of law globally, and has previously engaged diplomatically in cases involving individuals detained abroad where credible concerns of wrongful detention were raised.
While the resolution does not have the force of law and does not determine Kanu’s guilt or innocence, it represents a formal expression of concern by members of the U.S. Congress and a call for Nigeria to ensure that the case is handled in line with constitutional and international legal standards.