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A United States lawmaker has urged the Federal Government to either release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or prepare for possible cuts to US assistance, arguing that Washington should not continue providing financial support while concerns over his detention remain unresolved.
John James, the Republican congressman representing Michigan in the US House of Representatives, made the call during a plenary session of the House while seeking support for House Resolution 1321 (H.Res. 1321), a measure he introduced on May 22.
The resolution, currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, calls on Nigeria to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with the country’s constitution and internationally recognised human rights standards.
Addressing fellow lawmakers, James argued that Kanu should either be granted a fresh trial conducted in line with constitutional provisions or be released unconditionally.
He alleged that the IPOB leader had not received due process and linked his prosecution to what he described as wider concerns over the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.
The congressman also claimed that religiously motivated violence against Christians had persisted in Nigeria for years and criticised what he described as an inadequate response by the authorities to attacks carried out by extremist groups, including Boko Haram.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” James said while urging lawmakers to back his resolution.
He added that the United States has a moral responsibility to defend religious freedom and ensure that Christians in Nigeria can practise their faith without fear.
James’ proposal further recommends that Kanu should have unrestricted access to legal representation, adequate medical care and humane detention conditions pending the determination of his case, in line with international human rights obligations.
The intervention has been welcomed by IPOB, whose spokesperson, Emma Powerful, described the congressman’s position as a significant development in the campaign for Kanu’s release.
In a statement issued on Friday, Powerful said the resolution reflected growing international attention to the IPOB leader’s case and expressed hope that it would encourage Nigerian authorities to reconsider the matter.
IPOB, a separatist movement seeking the creation of an independent Biafra from Nigeria’s South-East and parts of the South-South, has remained proscribed by the Federal Government over allegations of terrorism and activities considered threatening to national security.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 after his conviction on terrorism-related charges. He is currently serving his sentence at Sokoto Prison while pursuing an appeal against the judgment.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that Kanu’s prosecution followed due legal process and has repeatedly insisted that the matter remains before the courts.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued an official response to the latest comments by the US congressman.
