Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
In a bid to hold Nigerian government, especially its officials accountable and stem the killing of christians in the country, the United States House of Representatives has proposed a new bill to that effect.
The bill is to hold them accountable for alleged violations of religious freedom and human rights abuses in the country.
The bill is sponsored by a Republican lawmaker from Indiana’s 3rd District, Marlin Stutzman.
The bill is titled “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”.
Details published on the official U.S. Congress website disclosed that the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
The bill will be reviewed by both committees within their respective jurisdictions before proceeding to the House.
The primary objective of the bill states, “The President shall impose the sanctions described in Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption) on the persons identified in the report required under subsection (b).”
It will specifically target “federal officials or state governors who have, during the period specified in paragraph, promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigerian blasphemy laws, including through public advocacy, legislative action, or executive enforcement directives; or tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justifications to commit acts of violence, including persons designated as foreign terrorist organisations… or specially designated global terrorists pursuant to Executive Order 13224.”
The proposed bill will also affect “Judges, magistrates, prison officials, or other judicial or law enforcement authorities who have enforced blasphemy laws, including through prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, or other deprivation of liberty of individuals pursuant to such laws.”