Israeli lawmaker urges UN to review Nnamdi Kanu’s detention

Israeli Member of Knesset Afef Abbed has formally petitioned the United Nations to review the detention and conviction of Nnamdi Kanu. In a letter dated September 1, 2026, addressed to the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Abbed called for the implementation of recommendations made by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2022.

The 2022 opinion by the Working Group concluded that Kanu’s deprivation of liberty was arbitrary and recommended his immediate release, along with compensation and reparations. Abbed also highlighted the need for an investigation into the circumstances regarding Kanu’s arrest in Kenya and his subsequent transfer to Nigeria.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on terrorism-related and treason charges. Abbed urged the UN to request an official update from the Nigerian government regarding the implementation of the Working Group’s findings and to ensure that all legal proceedings comply with international human rights standards.