AVID Petitions Trump, Demands Sanctions on Nigerian Judges Over Nnamdi Kanu

The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), in partnership with Rising Sun Charities Organization and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, has petitioned U.S. President Donald Trump to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions on several Nigerian judges and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami over their alleged roles in the detention and prosecution of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a letter to the president on Friday, copies of which were shared with journalists in Abuja, the groups accused the Nigerian judiciary of “gross human rights violations” and complicity in what they described as the unlawful persecution of Kanu, who has remained in detention since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.

The petition specifically named Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and former Attorney General Malami, accusing them of enabling “arbitrary detention, extraordinary rendition, denial of fair trial rights, and suppression of free speech.” None of those mentioned could be reached for comment.

AVID, which has consistently campaigned for Kanu’s release, stressed: “Judges enjoy no immunity for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”

The petition drew parallels with history, noting: “Just as Nazi judges were prosecuted for sham trials and Russian judges sanctioned for arbitrary detention, Nigerian judges who enable persecution must also be held accountable.”

The organizations referenced a July 2022 decision by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which ruled Kanu’s detention unlawful, citing breaches of 16 international human rights covenants. The UN also ordered his release and compensation.

“For more than three years, Nigeria has openly defied that ruling, keeping Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in solitary confinement without trial,” said Chief Ugochukwu Nwosu, spokesperson for Rising Sun Charities. “This is a direct affront to international law and a stain on Nigeria’s judiciary.”

The petition further cited domestic and international court rulings in Kanu’s favor, including a ₦500 million award by the Federal High Court in Umuahia in 2022 and a June 2025 ruling by the Nairobi High Court, which declared his rendition illegal and awarded KES 10 million in damages. Despite these rulings, the petitioners accused Nigerian courts of persisting in justifying his detention.

The groups also condemned the 2017 proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization, describing it as “a politically motivated decision” secured through an illegal ex parte proceeding.

“No country in the world—including the United States—recognizes IPOB as a terrorist organization. Yet Nigerian courts continue to use that label as justification to persecute peaceful activists,” the petition stated.

The petition leveled specific accusations against the judges:

Justice Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for “arbitrary detention, denial of counsel and medical care, and endorsing the ex parte proscription of IPOB.”

Justice Tsammani, former Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Abuja (now of the Supreme Court), for “sustaining arbitrary detention.”

Justice Barka of the Court of Appeal for “upholding the illegal proscription of IPOB.”

Justice Garba of the Supreme Court for “affirming arbitrary detention and enabling government abuses against Kanu.”

Former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola for “endorsing Kanu’s kidnapping, torture, rendition, and detention without trial.”

Former Attorney General Abubakar Malami for “orchestrating Kanu’s abduction, torture, and extraordinary rendition.”

The petitioners maintained that sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act are essential to deter further abuses.

“Silence in the face of injustice emboldens dictators,” they warned. “By sanctioning these officials, the United States will send a clear message that human rights violations carry consequences, regardless of where they occur.”

They emphasized that their call goes beyond Kanu’s case, framing it as a broader fight for accountability and human rights protection in Nigeria.

“This is about ensuring no judge, no official, and no government can trample on fundamental freedoms without consequences. The world must not look away,” the petition concluded.