A member of the United States House of Representatives, John James, has called on the Nigerian government to either release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or conduct a fresh trial in accordance with Nigeria’s Constitution and internationally recognised human rights standards.
The Republican congressman, who represents Michigan, made the appeal during a plenary session of the US House of Representatives while canvassing support for House Resolution (H.Res.) 1321, a measure he introduced seeking renewed congressional attention to Kanu’s detention and legal proceedings.
In his remarks before fellow lawmakers, James argued that Kanu’s prosecution raised broader concerns about religious freedom, due process and human rights in Nigeria.
According to the congressman, his resolution seeks to encourage adherence to constitutional safeguards and internationally accepted legal standards in the handling of Kanu’s case.
James further alleged that Christians in Nigeria have continued to face widespread violence in recent years, claiming that the Nigerian government has failed to adequately address the situation.
“Since 2019, tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria have been slaughtered as part of a sustained pattern of religiously motivated violence by Islamist jihadists ignored or enabled by the Nigerian government,” he said.
The lawmaker also accused the Nigerian authorities of failing to effectively confront extremist organisations operating in parts of the country.
He claimed that groups such as Boko Haram have continued their activities despite years of military operations aimed at degrading insurgent networks.
James described Kanu as “a courageous figure” and criticised the judicial process that led to the IPOB leader’s conviction, characterising it as unfair.
According to him, the Nigerian government should either institute a fresh trial that complies with constitutional provisions or release Kanu unconditionally.
“Conduct another trial in accordance with its own constitution, or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally,” the congressman stated.
Beyond his criticism of Kanu’s detention, James suggested that the United States should reconsider the scale of its financial assistance to Nigeria if concerns relating to human rights and religious persecution are not adequately addressed.
He argued that American taxpayers’ funds should not continue to support governments accused of failing to protect vulnerable communities.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” he said.
The remarks have attracted attention in both Nigeria and the United States, given the long-standing diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has provided Nigeria with assistance across several sectors, including security, health, humanitarian support, economic development and governance programmes.
Although James called for a review of American financial assistance, no official policy change has been announced by the US government, and the congressman’s comments do not constitute a formal decision by Congress or the executive branch.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra welcomed the intervention by the American lawmaker, describing it as a significant endorsement of its longstanding campaign for Kanu’s release.
In a statement, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the comments by the Michigan congressman reinforced the group’s position that Kanu should either be released or granted what it considers a fair judicial process.
According to the group, the intervention reflects growing international attention to Kanu’s legal situation and allegations of human rights violations surrounding his detention.
The organisation expressed optimism that the statement would encourage greater international engagement on the matter.
Kanu, leader of the separatist movement advocating for the creation of an independent state of Biafra in Nigeria’s South-East, has remained one of the country’s most controversial political figures.
He was convicted on terrorism-related charges in November 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment following legal proceedings that drew both domestic and international attention.
He is currently being held at Sokoto Correctional Centre while pursuing an appeal against his conviction.
His legal team has consistently challenged both the trial and conviction, maintaining that his constitutional rights were violated during the judicial process.
Successive Nigerian governments, however, have defended the prosecution, insisting that Kanu is being tried in accordance with Nigerian law and that the country’s judicial system remains independent.
The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation and has argued that security agencies are acting within the law in addressing activities it considers threats to national security and territorial integrity.
The latest intervention by Congressman James is expected to generate renewed debate over Kanu’s detention, Nigeria’s human rights record and the broader relationship between Abuja and Washington.
While supporters of the IPOB leader have welcomed the congressman’s position, critics argue that the matter remains before the Nigerian courts and should be resolved through the country’s legal system.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government of Nigeria had not issued an official response to James’ remarks or his suggestion that continued American financial assistance could be reconsidered if Kanu remains in detention.
