The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), in collaboration with the 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 of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over their alleged roles in the detention and prosecution of Biafra agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

 

In a petition addressed to Trump on Friday, copies of which were made available to 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.

 

Those listed in the petition include: Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and former AGF Malami. They were accused of enabling arbitrary detention, denial of fair trial, and endorsing the extraordinary rendition of Kanu.

 

“Judges enjoy no immunity for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights,” AVID stated, adding that “just as Nazi judges were prosecuted for sham trials and Russian judges sanctioned for arbitrary detention, Nigerian judges who endorse persecution must also be held accountable.”

 

The petitioners referenced the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which in July 2022 declared Kanu’s detention unlawful and ordered his immediate release and reparations. They also cited a 2022 ruling of the Federal High Court in Umuahia awarding Kanu N500 million in damages, and a June 2025 judgment by the Nairobi High Court declaring his rendition illegal and awarding KES 10 million.

 

Despite these rulings, they argued, Nigerian courts have continued to justify his detention while clinging to the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization, a designation they called “politically motivated” and “illegal,” stressing that “no country in the world, including the United States, recognizes IPOB as a terrorist group.”

 

The petition accused:

 

Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of arbitrary detention, denial of legal counsel, and endorsing IPOB’s ex parte ban.

 

Justice Tsammani of affirming arbitrary detention at the Court of Appeal.

 

Justice Barka of endorsing IPOB’s proscription.

 

Justice Garba of affirming detention to shield the Nigerian government.

 

Former CJN Olukayode Ariwoola of endorsing Kanu’s extraordinary rendition and detention.

 

Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami of orchestrating Kanu’s kidnapping, torture, and extraordinary rendition.

 

 

AVID spokesperson Chief Ugochukwu Nwosu described the continued detention as “a direct affront to international law and a stain on Nigeria’s judiciary.”

 

The petition concluded that sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act are necessary to deter further abuses.

 

“Silence in the face of injustice emboldens dictators. By sanctioning these officials, the U.S. will send a clear message that human rights violations carry consequences, no matter where they occur,” it read.

 

The groups emphasized that their campaign is not just about Nnamdi Kanu but about ensuring broader accountability for human rights abuses in Nigeria.