The United States Congress has asked the country’s Secretary of State to engage the Nigerian government on the trial, conviction and imprisonment of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The development followed a resolution passed by the Congress on May 22, 2026. A copy of the resolution was sighted by Newsmirror on Tuesday.
The resolution, numbered H.Res. 1321, followed a motion by Congressman John James. James, in the motion, asked the Congress to call on the Government of Nigeria to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu are conducted in full accordance with Nigeria’s constitutional obligations and international human rights commitments.
Kanu was on November 20, 2025, sentenced to life imprisonment by an Abuja Federal High Court presided by Justice James Omotosho, following his conviction on terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian government. The IPOB leader is currently serving the life sentence in Sokoto prison.
Kanu and his lawyers had kicked against the judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho in the terrorism trial, arguing that his conviction was based on repealed laws.
The pro-Biafra activist had filed an appeal to challenge his conviction but hearing in the suit is yet to commence.
In the resolution adopted by the Congress, US lawmakers asked the Nigerian government to ensure that Kanu’s trial is conducted in compliance with constitutional obligations and international human rights commitments.
The US Secretary of State was asked to engage the Nigerian authorities on the matter, as well as issues relating to Kanu’s detention conditions.
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