A United States congressman, John James, has called on the Nigerian government to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or risk cuts to US financial assistance.
James, who represents Michigan in the US House of Representatives, also asked the federal government to conduct a fresh trial for Kanu in line with Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards.
He made the call during plenary in the House of Representatives on Thursday while seeking support for H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22.
The resolution, which is before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, urges the Nigerian government to ensure all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with Nigeria’s constitutional obligations and international human rights commitments.
Speaking during the session, James alleged that Kanu’s prosecution was part of a wider pattern of persecution against Christians in Nigeria.
“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 congressman also alleged that extremist groups such as Boko Haram have operated without meaningful resistance from the Nigerian authorities.
James described Kanu as “a courageous figure” and claimed he was convicted following a “farce show trial” for speaking out against the killings.
“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 international law about humane conditions of detention, or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally,” he stated.
The lawmaker also said the United States should reconsider its financial support to Nigeria if Kanu is not released.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” he said.
James added that the US has a moral obligation to ensure Christians in Nigeria are able to worship freely.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful welcomed the congressman’s intervention and described it as a significant development in the group’s campaign for Kanu’s release.
“We commend Congressman John James for his courage and the United States Congress for providing the platform,” the statement reads.
Powerful said the call reflected growing international attention to Kanu’s case and expressed hope that it would encourage the Nigerian government to review the matter.
IPOB is a separatist group seeking an independent state of Biafra in Nigeria’s South-East and parts of the South-South.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 after he was convicted on terrorism charges. He is serving his sentence at Sokoto prison pending the determination of his appeal.