Criticism of Nigeria's Justice: Kanu Imprisoned, Imam Free

Mike Arnold, a former U.S. mayor and founder of Africa Arise International, expressed concerns about Nigeria's justice system during a presentation to the U.S. Congress.

He highlighted the imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was abducted in Kenya in June 2021 and sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges in November 2025. Arnold contrasted Kanu's situation with that of an imam, Emmanuel Sundai Garba, who publicly offered a bounty of 1 million Naira (approximately $670) for the beheading of a pastor accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, yet remains free without charges.

Arnold criticized the Nigerian government's selective approach to justice, particularly regarding southern self-determination activists versus northern Islamist jihadists. He called on the U.S.

Congress to demand Kanu's release and offer asylum to protect him from the Nigerian regime.