A legal practitioner, Ekemini Udim, has called on former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to publicly address allegations linking him to severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria, following the introduction of a sanctions bill in the United States Congress.
Naijaonpoint reports that the proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), seeks to impose visa bans and asset freezes on certain individuals and groups, including Kwankwaso, over alleged involvement in systemic persecution of Christians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Udim urged the former Minister of Defence to clarify his position.
Udim said, “I think that the former governor and former minister can, on his own, come clean and address the media, tell Nigerian citizens that he is also surprised, if he is, about the inclusion of his name there.
“Let Nigerian citizens see clearly that he has no sponsor in the terrorist group, in the group to decimate Christians or Muslim minorities in some part of the country; he needs to do all of that.”
Udim expressed surprise at seeing Kwankwaso’s name listed among those targeted in the bill, noting that he had not previously encountered any public record directly linking the former governor to terrorism sponsorship.
He added that US lawmakers would need to clarify the basis for including Kwankwaso in the proposed sanctions regime.
“As a lawyer, I would also say let it be done carefully with all the facts there because every citizen of the world has a fundamental right duly guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the right to a good name is there,” he said.
The lawyer emphasised that the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights also guarantees the right to a good name and the opportunity to respond to allegations.
Udim further stated, “The African Charter also talks about the right to a good name, the right to be given the opportunity to express yourself when you’re accused of any allegation.
“So, I just hope that the American Congress understands this fact and then accords that right of explanation to Rabiu Kwankwaso and also confronts him with what they think they have against him.”
If passed, the bill would compel the US Departments of State and Treasury to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, on Kwankwaso and groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The legislation was introduced by US lawmakers Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga.
According to details published on the US Congress website, the bill alleges that those named have contributed to systemic religious persecution in Nigeria.