Congressman John James of the United States has called on the Nigerian government to free Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), or face aid reductions.
In accordance with Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights best practices, he is also requesting that the federal government hold a new trial for Kanu.
James, a member of the US House of Representatives representing Michigan, made the plea on Thursday during the lower chamber’s plenary while seeking support for H.Res. 1321, a resolution he submitted on May 22.
The resolution, which is being considered by the house committee on foreign affairs, urges the Nigerian government to make sure that any judicial actions pertaining to Kanu adhere to both international human rights commitments and Nigeria’s constitutional duties.
Additionally, the congressman claimed that Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations have operated with little to no opposition from Nigerian authorities.
James called Kanu “a courageous figure” and said that since he spoke out against the deaths, he was found guilty after a “farce show trial.”
“I beg my colleagues to support my bill, H.Res. 1321, which calls on the Nigerian government to either release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally or 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,” he said.
In addition, the member recommended that if Kanu is not freed, the US should reevaluate its financial assistance to Nigeria.
Nigeria receives billions from the United States. He declared, “We will no longer support a Christian genocide.
James went on to say that the US has a moral duty to guarantee the freedom of worship for Christians in Nigeria.
IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful praised the congressman’s intervention in a statement released on Friday, calling it a major step forward in the organization’s fight for Kanu’s release.
The statement says, “We applaud Congressman John James for his bravery and the United States Congress for providing the platform.”
According to Powerful, the call was a reflection of the increased attention that Kanu’s case was receiving on a global scale, and he hoped that it would motivate the Nigerian government to look into the situation.
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 currently serving his sentence at Sokoto prison pending the determination of his appeal.
