John James, a congressman from the US, has made a motion for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the jailed leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Mr James, who is part of the US House of Representatives, called for Kanu's release on Thursday during a session in the lower chamber of the US Congress.
A video clip obtained by PREMIUM TIMES shows the lawmaker making his appeal.
Mr James referred to H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22. This resolution urges the Nigerian government to ensure that all legal actions involving Mr Kanu follow the country's constitution and international human rights standards.
The resolution is currently with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
At the time the resolution was introduced, Kanu had not yet been convicted of terrorism.
Religious Persecution and Kanu's Conviction
During the session, Mr James argued that Kanu's trial and conviction were part of a larger issue of alleged religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria. He called Nigeria 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 stated. He added that groups like Boko Haram have operated without any significant pushback from the Nigerian authorities.
The lawmaker described Mr Kanu, whom he called a brave figure, as a victim of a “farce show trial” for speaking out against the violence.
“I implore my colleagues to support my bill, H.Res. 1321, which calls on the Nigerian government to conduct another trial according to its own constitution, based on evidence, with access to legal counsel, medical care, and international law regarding humane detention conditions, or better yet, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally,” he urged.
Cutting Aid to Nigeria
Mr James indicated that the US government should consider cutting its aid to Nigeria if the authorities do not release Mr Kanu.
“America gives billions to Nigeria. We will not continue to fund a Christian genocide,” he stated.
The lawmaker emphasized that the US has a moral duty to ensure that Christians in Nigeria can worship freely.
IPOB has praised Mr James for his motion regarding Mr Kanu’s release.
In a statement on Friday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group called the congressman's action a significant step in their fight for Kanu’s freedom.
“We commend Congressman John James for his courage and the United States Congress for providing the platform,” Mr Powerful said.
The spokesman noted that IPOB sees this call as a sign of increasing international interest in Mr Kanu’s case.
He expressed hope that Mr James’s appeal would push the Nigerian government to reconsider the issue.
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