US Congressman Renews Call For Nnamdi Kanu's Release
A United States Congressman, John James, has renewed his appeal for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that the case reflects broader concerns over the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.
James, a Republican representing Michigan, made the call during a session of the US House of Representatives while urging lawmakers to support H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22, 2026.
The resolution is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and calls on the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
Speaking on the House floor, James alleged that Nigeria has become one of the world's most dangerous countries for Christians, claiming that thousands have been killed in religiously motivated attacks since 2019. He further accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately address the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
The congressman described Kanu's terrorism trial as unfair, insisting that the IPOB leader was being punished for speaking out against violence. He urged Nigerian authorities to either grant Kanu a fresh trial that meets constitutional and international legal standards or release him 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, or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally," James said.
He also questioned continued US financial assistance to Nigeria, arguing that Washington should not continue funding a country where Christians were allegedly facing persecution.
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 detention since he was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021 and transferred to Nigeria.
James' resolution also cites a July 20, 2022 opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which concluded that Kanu's detention violated international human rights standards and recommended his release.
Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that Kanu's prosecution is based on alleged violations of the country's laws and not on his ethnicity or religious beliefs. The federal government has repeatedly defended the legal process surrounding his trial.
James, a Republican representing Michigan, made the call during a session of the US House of Representatives while urging lawmakers to support H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22, 2026.
The resolution is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and calls on the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
Speaking on the House floor, James alleged that Nigeria has become one of the world's most dangerous countries for Christians, claiming that thousands have been killed in religiously motivated attacks since 2019. He further accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately address the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
The congressman described Kanu's terrorism trial as unfair, insisting that the IPOB leader was being punished for speaking out against violence. He urged Nigerian authorities to either grant Kanu a fresh trial that meets constitutional and international legal standards or release him 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, or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally," James said.
He also questioned continued US financial assistance to Nigeria, arguing that Washington should not continue funding a country where Christians were allegedly facing persecution.
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 detention since he was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021 and transferred to Nigeria.
James' resolution also cites a July 20, 2022 opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which concluded that Kanu's detention violated international human rights standards and recommended his release.
Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that Kanu's prosecution is based on alleged violations of the country's laws and not on his ethnicity or religious beliefs. The federal government has repeatedly defended the legal process surrounding his trial.
