A United States congressman, John James, has referred to as on the Federal Government to launch the detained chief of the proscribed Indigenous Individuals of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or conduct a recent trial that meets constitutional and worldwide human rights requirements.
Naija Information studies that James, who represents Michigan within the US House of Representatives, additionally warned that Washington may rethink monetary help to Nigeria if considerations surrounding Kanu’s case and alleged assaults on Christians weren’t addressed.
The lawmaker made the call throughout plenary of the House of Representatives on Thursday whereas looking for help for H.Res. 1321, a decision he launched on Might 22.
The decision, at the moment earlier than the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, urges the Nigerian authorities to make sure that all authorized proceedings involving Kanu adjust to the nation’s structure and worldwide human rights obligations.
Talking in the course of the session, James linked Kanu’s prosecution to what he described as a wider sample of spiritual persecution towards Christians in Nigeria.
“Since 2019, tens of 1000’s of Christians in Nigeria have been slaughtered as a part of a sustained sample of religiously motivated violence by Islamist jihadists ignored or enabled by the Nigerian authorities,” he mentioned.
The congressman additional alleged that extremist organisations, together with Boko Haram, had operated in elements of Nigeria with out satisfactory resistance from the authorities.
James described Kanu as “a brave determine” and alleged that his conviction adopted what he referred to as a “farce present trial” after the IPOB chief spoke towards killings within the nation.
He urged his colleagues in Congress to help his decision demanding a recent judicial course of or Kanu’s unconditional launch.
“I implore my colleagues to help my invoice, H.Res. 1321, calling on the Nigerian authorities to conduct one other trial in accordance with its personal structure primarily based on proof with entry to authorized counsel, medical care, and worldwide legislation about humane situations of detention, or higher but, launch Mazi Nnamdi Kanu instantly and unconditionally,” James acknowledged.
Lawmaker Raises Prospect Of Assist Cuts
James additionally advised that continued American monetary help to Nigeria may come beneath scrutiny if the considerations he raised weren’t addressed.
“America offers billions to Nigeria. We is not going to proceed to fund a Christian genocide,” he mentioned.
He argued that america had an ethical duty to defend non secular freedom and guarantee Christians in Nigeria have been capable of practise their religion with out worry.
Reacting on Friday, IPOB welcomed the American lawmaker’s feedback, describing the event as a lift to its marketing campaign for Kanu’s launch.
The group’s spokesman, Emma Highly effective, counseled James for elevating the matter earlier than the US Congress.
“We commend Congressman John James for his braveness and america Congress for offering the platform,” the assertion reads.
Highly effective mentioned the congressman’s intervention demonstrated what the group thought-about rising worldwide curiosity in Kanu’s case.
He expressed optimism that elevated scrutiny from outdoors Nigeria may encourage the Federal Government to rethink the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s conviction and detention.
IPOB is a separatist organisation campaigning for the creation of an impartial state of Biafra from elements of Nigeria’s South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 after his conviction on terrorism prices. He’s at the moment serving the sentence on the Sokoto jail whereas awaiting the dedication of his enchantment.
