The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says international pressure on the Nigerian government over the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is gaining momentum following a fresh call by United States Congressman John James for his immediate release or a constitutionally compliant retrial.
James, a Republican representing Michigan, urged the U.S. House of Representatives to press Nigeria to either grant Kanu a fresh trial that guarantees constitutional safeguards—including access to legal counsel, evidence, medical care and humane detention—or release him unconditionally.
Speaking during proceedings on the House floor, the congressman argued that Kanu’s conviction stemmed from what he termed an unfair judicial process. He also questioned continued U.S. financial support to Nigeria, saying American assistance should not be used to support what he alleged was the persecution of Christians.
The intervention follows the introduction of H.Res. 1321 before the U.S. Congress in May 2026, urging the Nigerian government to ensure Kanu’s legal proceedings conform with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
Reacting on Friday, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful described James’ intervention as a major boost to the group’s international campaign, saying the case had now attracted direct attention from a serving member of the U.S. Congress.
“We commend Congressman John James for his courage and the United States Congress for providing the platform,” Powerful said, adding that IPOB’s representatives in the United States had sustained advocacy efforts aimed at drawing global attention to Kanu’s case.
He argued that the latest development reflected growing international scrutiny, citing what he described as a recent engagement between IPOB representatives and Israeli lawmakers in Jerusalem.
Powerful maintained that Kanu’s conviction failed to meet due-process standards and expressed hope that increasing international attention would influence Nigerian authorities to revisit the case.
He reiterated the group’s demand for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, while affirming IPOB’s continued advocacy for a referendum on self-determination for the Biafra region.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 after being convicted on terrorism-related charges. He is currently being held at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, while his legal team pursues an appeal against the conviction before the appellate courts.
The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that Kanu’s prosecution is a matter for the courts, and his appeal remains pending.
