Leading Igbo diaspora organisations have condemned the United Kingdom for its silence over the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court convicted Kanu on terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment weeks ago. He was subsequently moved to Sokoto prison.
The groups, in a joint public briefing issued Tuesday, comprising the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), the Ambassadors for Self-Determination (ASD), and the Rising Sun Foundation (RSF), argued that Kanu, as a UK citizen, should not have been abandoned. They described the UK government’s inaction as “alarming and inconsistent with Britain’s human rights obligations.”
“The UK government has failed to uphold its duty to protect one of its own citizens,” said Dr. Sylvester Onyia, president of AVID.
He argued, “A British passport holder was abducted from Kenya without legal extradition, subjected to a sham trial under a repealed law, and sentenced to life imprisonment, yet London remains silent.”
He added, “This silence is deeply troubling and undermines the credibility of the UK as a global human rights champion.”
Evans Nwankwo, president of ASD, said, “The UK’s silence on Kanu’s case is particularly disturbing, given its vocal stance on other international human rights violations.”
He stressed, “Whether it is Russia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, or the United States, the UK speaks out—but when a British citizen faces unlawful detention and a life sentence, the government’s indifference is deafening. Silence here reads as complicity.”
The organisations also raised concerns about ethnic bias, arguing that the UK’s failure to act reflects long-standing neglect toward Igbo self-determination movements.
“Historical memory matters,” said Maxwell Dede, director of RSF. “The Igbo diaspora cannot forget Britain’s role during the 1967–1970 Biafran War. By ignoring Kanu’s case, the UK risks reinforcing a perception that it prioritises geopolitical convenience over justice for the Igbo people.”
The diaspora groups urged the UK government to immediately issue a public statement condemning the rendition, ensure Nigeria complies with the 2022 appellate judgment, provide full consular access to Kanu, and launch a parliamentary inquiry into the UK’s handling of the matter.
They also called for consideration of sanctions under the UK Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations against Nigerian officials involved in the rendition, torture, or suppression of judicial rulings.
“This is not merely a Nigerian internal matter,” Onyia added. “When a British citizen is abducted abroad, tortured, tried under a repealed law, and denied the benefit of a binding appellate judgment, it becomes an international issue. The UK must act to protect the rule of law and its citizen’s rights.”
The statement stressed that IPOB is legally registered in the UK, and Kanu’s broadcasts from London fall under British free speech protections. The groups emphasised that trade interests with Nigeria, amounting to £6.5bn annually, cannot override the UK’s duty to protect its citizens.
“The world is watching, and the UK cannot afford to be silent,” Dede said. “Due process, human rights, and protection of citizens are non-negotiable. Silence is complicity.”
The organisations pledged to intensify international advocacy, including engagement with the United States, the United Nations, and media outlets, to ensure monitoring of Kanu’s health and detention conditions.
