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U.S. Congress Introduces “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act” to Sanction Officials Over Rights Abuses
The United States House of Representatives has introduced a new bill titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”, aimed at increasing scrutiny over alleged religious persecution and human rights abuses in Nigeria. The legislation seeks to hold Nigerian officials accountable for violations related to religious freedom and violence justified on religious grounds.
The bill, filed as H.R. 5808 in the 119th Congress, was introduced on October 21, 2025, by Representative Marlin A. Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana’s 3rd District. According to records on the official U.S. Congress website accessed by SaharaReporters on Thursday, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for review. The duration of the committees’ consideration will be determined by the Speaker of the House.
In Section 2(a) of the bill, lawmakers direct the U.S. President to impose sanctions outlined in Executive Order 13818, which authorizes the blocking of property and financial interests of individuals involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption. The sanctions are to be applied to persons identified in a report required under subsection (b) of the Act.
Under subsection (b)(1), the legislation mandates that, within 90 days of enactment and annually thereafter, the U.S. Secretary of State must submit a report to Congress listing Nigerian individuals who meet specific criteria. These include:
Federal officials or state governors who have promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, either through public advocacy, legislation, or executive enforcement.
Officials who have tolerated or enabled violence by non-state actors using religious justification, including organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations under U.S. law, such as those listed in Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)), or as specially designated global terrorists under Executive Order 13224.
Judges, magistrates, prison officials, and other law enforcement authorities who have enforced blasphemy laws through prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, or other forms of deprivation of liberty.
The bill defines the period under review as beginning 10 years prior to the enactment of the Act and ending on the date the initial report is submitted. Each subsequent report would cover the period between the previous and current submissions.
Additionally, the introduction of this legislation coincides with the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom.
According to the bill, reports required under Section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and reviews under Section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 direct the Secretary of State to officially designate:
The Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the same provisions.
If enacted, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 would significantly strengthen U.S. oversight and potential sanctions related to religious persecution and violence in Nigeria.
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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.
According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.
Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Details shortly…
PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule
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