The United States House of Representatives has adopted a resolution calling on the U.S. Secretary of State to engage the Nigerian government over concerns related to the trial, conviction, and detention of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu .
The resolution, numbered H.Res. 1321, was introduced on May 22, 2026, by Congressman John James and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs .
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on terrorism-related charges . He is currently serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto State .
In the resolution, U.S. lawmakers expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s apprehension in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2021 and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria, noting that questions have been raised by legal observers and international bodies regarding whether the transfer complied with applicable legal standards .
The resolution also cited the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, issued on July 20, 2022, which found that Kanu’s detention violated international human rights obligations and called for his release and the provision of remedies .
The House of Representatives called on the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu are conducted in full accordance with Nigeria’s constitutional obligations and international human rights commitments .
The lawmakers urged the Nigerian government to carefully consider the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and to take appropriate steps consistent with those findings .
The resolution further encouraged the Nigerian government to ensure that Kanu has consistent access to legal counsel, necessary medical care, and humane conditions of detention .
The U.S. Secretary of State has been encouraged to engage with Nigerian authorities regarding concerns related to due process, detention conditions, and respect for fundamental rights .
The resolution reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law worldwide .
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian government has not issued an official response to the resolution.
