An Israeli lawmaker, MK Afef Abbed, has written to the United Nations seeking action on the conviction and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu was convicted in 2025 of treason charges and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Abbed, a Member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, made the request in a September 1, 2026 letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists on Thursday.
In the letter, titled “Call for the Implementation of the Opinion and Recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Concerning Mr. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, he urged the UN and its relevant mechanisms to continue following Kanu’s case and examine whether the recommendations contained in Opinion No. 25/2022 of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had been implemented.
The lawmaker recalled that the Working Group had formally considered Kanu’s case and concluded in its 2022 opinion that his deprivation of liberty was arbitrary.
According to Abbed, the Working Group called on the governments of Nigeria and Kenya to take the necessary steps to remedy Kanu’s situation without delay.
“The Working Group stated that the appropriate remedy would be his immediate release and the granting of an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law,” he said.
Abbed also referenced the Working Group’s findings concerning Kanu’s arrest in Kenya and his transfer to Nigeria, saying the body had called on the governments concerned to investigate the circumstances surrounding these events.
He said the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention remained an important mechanism within the UN human rights system, adding that its opinions and recommendations deserved serious consideration and appropriate follow-up.
“The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is an important mechanism of the United Nations human rights system. Its opinions and recommendations carry significant legal and public importance and deserve serious consideration and appropriate follow-up,” Abbed said.
He further noted that several legal proceedings concerning Kanu had taken place in Nigeria and beyond, including proceedings addressing his rights and the legal implications of the circumstances surrounding his return to Nigeria.
According to him, those proceedings had raised significant legal questions concerning Kanu’s fundamental rights and the circumstances of his detention and transfer.
Abbed also drew the UN’s attention to subsequent legal developments in Kanu’s case, including his conviction by a Nigerian Federal High Court in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges and his sentencing to life imprisonment.
The Israeli lawmaker asked the UN to review the implementation of Opinion No. 25/2022 and request an official update from the Nigerian government on measures taken in response to the Working Group’s findings and recommendations.
He also asked the UN to consider issuing a public update, subject to its procedures, on the implementation of the opinion and recommendations.
Abbed further urged continued dialogue with the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings concerning Kanu were conducted in accordance with applicable international human rights standards and Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
He also called for continued involvement and monitoring by relevant UN human rights mechanisms, including the Working Group and other mandate holders, in light of developments concerning Kanu’s right to due process, fundamental rights and conditions of detention.
The lawmaker additionally urged the UN to encourage what he described as a lawful and rights-respecting resolution based on respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights, as well as consideration and implementation of the Working Group’s recommendations.
Abbed also referred to a call by U.S. Congressman John James for Kanu’s immediate release.
“These subsequent developments do not diminish the importance of the serious concerns and findings set out by the Working Group in its 2022 Opinion.
“They further emphasize the importance of ensuring that all proceedings concerning Mr. Kanu comply with applicable international standards of due process and human rights.
“Recently, U.S. Congressman John James has also called for the immediate release of Mr. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
The Israeli lawmaker also raised concerns about allegations regarding Kanu’s health and access to medical care.
He urged the relevant international human rights mechanisms to examine such allegations, particularly where the health and fundamental rights of a detainee are concerned.
Abbed said his appeal was based on what he described as the need to strengthen respect for international legal institutions and human rights mechanisms.
He urged the UN bodies to maintain what he described as professional, consistent and independent engagement with Kanu’s case.
“Furthermore, serious concerns have been raised regarding Mr. Kanu’s health condition, including allegations that the Nigerian authorities have failed to provide him with adequate medical care and have prevented his personal physician from providing him with the necessary treatment.
“As a Member of the Knesset of the State of Israel, I believe that strengthening respect for international legal institutions and human rights mechanisms is a shared interest of all democratic societies.
“When an official United Nations mechanism issues a reasoned Opinion following an independent examination of a case, its findings and recommendations deserve appropriate weight and meaningful efforts toward their implementation.”
“I respectfully urge the relevant United Nations bodies to continue their professional, consistent, and independent engagement with this matter and to promote respect for human rights, the rule of law, and due process,” he said.