A member of the United States House of Representatives, John James, has renewed his call for the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The congressman made the appeal on Thursday during a session of the House of Representatives, where he linked Kanu’s continued detention to concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.
James referred to House Resolution 1321, which he introduced on May 22, 2026. The resolution urges the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards. The proposal is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
While addressing lawmakers, the Michigan representative alleged that Christians in Nigeria have continued to face deadly attacks over the years. He claimed that extremist groups, including Boko Haram, have carried out violent attacks with little success in stopping them, and said the United States should continue to pay attention to the situation.
Speaking on Kanu’s case, James argued that the IPOB leader should either be granted a fresh trial that meets constitutional and international legal standards or be released. He said any future legal process should guarantee access to legal representation, proper medical care and humane conditions while in detention.
The congressman also questioned continued American financial assistance to Nigeria in light of the concerns he raised, saying the United States should ensure that its support aligns with the protection of fundamental rights and religious freedom.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges. He is currently being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory following his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021 and his return to Nigeria.
James also referred to the opinion issued by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on July 20, 2022, which concluded that Kanu’s detention breached international human rights obligations and recommended his release alongside other remedies.