US Congress Urges Nigeria to Address Nnamdi Kanu's Case

On May 22, 2026, the US House of Representatives adopted Resolution H. Res. 1321, urging American authorities to engage with the Nigerian government concerning the legal issues surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This resolution follows concerns regarding Kanu's trial, detention conditions, and access to fundamental rights. Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025, after being found guilty of terrorism-related charges.

His legal team is challenging the verdict, citing that the charges were based on laws that have since been repealed. The resolution also references a 2022 finding by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which concluded that Kanu's detention violated international human rights obligations.

The US Congress emphasized the importance of ensuring Kanu's access to legal representation and appropriate medical attention, reaffirming the US commitment to promoting human rights globally.