A member of the United States House of Representatives, John James, has renewed his call for the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, urging the Nigerian government to either grant him a fresh trial or set him free.
Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, the Michigan Republican linked Kanu’s continued detention to what he described as a broader pattern of religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria.
James referenced House Resolution 1321, which he introduced on May 22, 2026. The resolution urges the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards. The measure is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The lawmaker described Nigeria as one of the world’s most dangerous places for Christians, alleging that tens of thousands have been killed since 2019 in attacks carried out by Islamist extremist groups.
“Since 2019, tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria have been slaughtered as part of a sustained pattern of religiously motivated violence by Islamist jihadis ignored or enabled by the Nigerian government,” James said.
He also accused the Nigerian authorities of failing to adequately confront extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
Addressing Kanu’s case, James described the IPOB leader as someone who had been imprisoned after what he called an unfair trial. He argued that Kanu, who is serving a life sentence on terrorism charges, should either receive a new trial conducted in line with constitutional and international legal standards or be released unconditionally.
“I implore my colleagues to support my bill, H.Res. 1321, calling on the Nigerian government to conduct another trial in accordance with its own constitution based on evidence, with access to legal counsel, medical care and humane conditions of detention under international law—or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally,” he said.
James also questioned continued U.S. financial assistance to Nigeria, saying Washington should not ignore concerns over religious violence.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” he said, adding that the United States had a responsibility to defend religious freedom around the world.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on terrorism-related charges. He has remained in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre since his transfer to Nigeria from Kenya in 2021.
James’ resolution also cites a July 2022 opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which concluded that Kanu’s detention violated international human rights obligations and recommended his release, along with appropriate remedies.
The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that Kanu was tried and convicted through the country’s judicial process and has defended the legal proceedings against him.
