Petition targets human rights law
Several pro-Igbo diaspora groups have reached out to former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for his intervention in the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Rising Sun Charities Organization, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination submitted a formal petition on August 28, 2025. The document, delivered through Kanu’s international lawyer Bruce Fein, urges the application of the Global Magnitsky Act and Executive Order 13818, both tools used by the U.S. to sanction global human rights violations.
Legal rulings ignored, groups say
The petition highlights multiple court decisions—including those in Nigeria, Kenya, and a 2022 UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention report—that call for Kanu’s unconditional release.
Despite those rulings, the Nigerian government has continued to hold Kanu. Petitioners argue this violates international human rights laws that guarantee fair trials, freedom of association, and the right to peaceful self-determination.
A long-standing struggle
The pro-Igbo groups outlined what they see as years of injustice dating back to 2015, when IPOB was banned in Nigeria. They also referenced Kanu’s controversial 2021 transfer from Kenya to Nigeria, which sparked global concern over possible extraordinary rendition.
They say Kanu’s case isn’t just about one person—it’s part of a larger fight for recognition, fairness, and political autonomy.
A call for U.S. action
Citing past instances where the U.S. acted against human rights abuses worldwide, the petitioners urged American authorities to respond similarly in this case.
They emphasized that while the Biafran War ended decades ago, the push for self-determination remains alive due to unresolved grievances and political marginalization.
Their message is clear: international intervention is needed now to secure justice for Kanu and address deeper issues affecting the Igbo people.
