THE UNITED STATE CONGRESS HEARS BIAFRA GRIEVANCES
Ogechukwu Nkere, the Acting Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), submitted testimony to the TLHRC
Testimony on Biafra Grievances at TLHRC Hearing
On June 24, 2025, Ogechukwu Nkere, Acting Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), presented testimony at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) hearing in Washington, D.C. Held from 2:00–4:00 PM EDT at 1334 Longworth House Office Building, the hearing addressed transnational repression (TNR), defined by the U.S. Department of Justice as tactics used by foreign governments to target dissidents, activists, and diaspora members abroad through methods like abductions, digital surveillance, and financial coercion. The session examined TNR cases involving Nigeria/Biafra, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, and China.
Key Points of Nkere’s Testimony
Nkere’s testimony focused on alleged human rights abuses by Nigeria against Biafran activists, framing these as TNR. He highlighted two prominent cases:
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: Nkere accused Nigeria of orchestrating Kanu’s 2021 abduction in Kenya, followed by his extradition to Nigeria, where he faces a trial for alleged terrorism tied to his advocacy for Biafran independence. Nkere described the trial as politically motivated.
Simon Ekpa: Nkere claimed Nigeria instigated a politically driven legal action against Ekpa in Finland, where Ekpa resides and leads the BRGIE.
Nkere presented these cases as part of a broader pattern of abuses, including extrajudicial killings and detentions, which he argued reflect Nigeria’s efforts to suppress the Biafran independence movement.
Diplomatic Engagement
From February 6–13, 2025, Nkere met with U.S. lawmakers, including Congressmen Craig Goldman (R-TX) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), to advocate for Biafra’s recognition. These efforts underscore BRGIE’s strategy to leverage international platforms for global support.
The TLHRC’s inclusion of Nigeria as a case study aligns with Nkere’s testimony, contributing to its analysis of TNR trends. His claims are supported by broader data, including:
A 2023 FBI report documenting over 150 TNR cases in the U.S. since 2014.
A 2021 Journal of Democracy study noting a 40% increase in TNR incidents globally since 2010.
Nkere’s testimony parallels other cases discussed, such as the detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan (702 days as of July 7, 2025), illustrating a global trend of authoritarian regimes targeting dissidents abroad.
Implications
The TLHRC hearing’s focus on multilateral and institutional responses to TNR suggests that Nkere’s call for international action may influence policy discussions. His testimony, accessible via the hearing recap at the TLHRC website, provides detailed claims and proposed policy approaches to address Nigeria’s alleged TNR practices.