…Calls for Sanctions on Nigeria, Finland & Biafra Recognitions
The Acting Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Ogechuwku Nkere, submitted historic congressional testimony to the U.S. Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in response to the June 24, 2025 congressional hearing “Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches”. Mr. Nkere submitted the testimony in his personal capacity as a “Biafran-American Political and Human Rights Activist”.
This is the first time that U.S. Congressional testimony has ever been provided on the Biafra issue in modern history. The testimony is officially a part of the congressional record, and is publicly available for viewing on congressional website.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Committee is Co-Chaired by Congressman Chris Smith and Congressman Jim McGovern. Congressman Smith is a leading critic of Nigeria’s persecution of Christians, and chaired a hearing on Nigerian Christian persecution in the U.S. Congress in March of 2025.
Mr. Nkere’s testimony details Nigeria’s human rights abuses over the years towards the Biafrans, and in detail described how Nigeria’s detention of Biafran leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa are examples of ‘trans-national repression’. The testimony accused Nigeria of ‘kidnapping’ Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya, as well as instigating a politically motivated trial against Simon Ekpa in Finland.
The testimony recommended to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. government impose visa bans on Nigerian officials as well as sanctions and tariffs, as well as cut off bilateral assistance, if Nigeria fails to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and provide him safe passage out of Nigeria. The testimony also recommends to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. government impose sanctions and tariffs on Finland, if it continues its politically motivated trial of Simon Ekpa.
The testimony could be viewed here
Link to Tom Lantos Hearing “Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches”:
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