A member of the United States House of Representatives, John James, has said that the ongoing case involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, reflects a broader pattern of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
James, a former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and now a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, made the remarks on Thursday during a public hearing reviewing former President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
According to him, the alleged political persecution in Nigeria is linked to weakening democratic institutions and systematic repression. He noted that Nigeria’s Court of Appeal had dismissed all charges against Kanu in 2022 and ordered his release.
Speaking before the panel, James said:
“Religious persecution is tied to political repression and weakening institutions in Nigeria. The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example.
“In 2022, Nigeria’s Court of Appeals struck down the charges against him and ordered his release.
“The UN Working Group for Arbitrary Detention has also called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement in deteriorating health and recently had to represent himself in court.
“Nigeria has signalled that the law is optional and targeting Christians is fair game. Just hours ago this morning, despite the pleas and cries of Nigerian people and many Nigerian lawmakers, Kanu was convicted on all charges.”
The hearing in Washington, D.C., featured testimonies and submissions from senior U.S. State Department officials, religious leaders from Nigeria, and policy experts evaluating the human rights situation in the country.
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