A member of the United States Congress, John James, has called for the release of the convicted leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, while suggesting that Nigeria could face cuts to US assistance if his appeal is ignored.
Mr James, who represents Michigan in the US House of Representatives, made the appeal on Thursday during a plenary session, urging his colleagues to support his resolution seeking what he described as a fair legal process for Mr Kanu.
The lawmaker was referring to H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22, calling on the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Mr Kanu comply with Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights obligations.
The resolution is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
At the time the resolution was introduced, Mr Kanu had not yet been convicted of terrorism.
Lawmaker Raises Religious Persecution Concerns
During his address, Mr James alleged that Mr Kanu’s prosecution reflected what he described as a broader pattern of religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria.
He described Nigeria as the “deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.”
“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.
He also accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately confront extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
According to the congressman, Mr Kanu was convicted after what he called 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 said.
Suggests US Could Cut Aid
Mr James further indicated that the United States should reconsider its financial support to Nigeria if Mr Kanu is not released.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” he said.
He maintained that the US has a moral responsibility to ensure Christians in Nigeria can freely practise their faith.
IPOB Welcomes US Lawmaker’s Position
IPOB has welcomed the congressman’s intervention, describing it as a significant boost to its campaign for Mr Kanu’s freedom.
In a statement issued on Friday by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB praised Mr James for raising the issue before the US Congress.
“We commend Congressman John James for his courage and the United States Congress for providing the platform,” Mr Powerful said.
He added that the group sees the development as evidence of increasing international attention on Mr Kanu’s case and expressed hope that the Nigerian government would review the matter.
Background
IPOB is a separatist organisation seeking the creation of an independent state of Biafra from Nigeria’s South-East and parts of the South-South.
Mr Kanu was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in November last year after the Federal High Court in Abuja found him guilty of terrorism charges.
He is currently serving his sentence at Sokoto Prison and has appealed both his conviction and life sentence.
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