- Claims Fugitive Leader Product of ‘Extraordinary Rendition’ Between States
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has disclosed that its fugitive leader, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in Kenya.
The New Diplomat had reported that Kanu who had jumped bail and fled the country in 2017 was re-arrested and brought back to the country on Sunday.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami who addressed a press conference at the Ministry of Justice, Abuja, disclosed that Kanu was arrested through the joint efforts of the Nigerian intelligence community and Interpol. He however stopped short of disclosing where the fugitive leader was re-arrested.
The New Diplomat reports Malami did not also confirm whether Kanu was arrested in Kenya as claimed by IPOB.
However, the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, in a statement revealed that their leader was apprehended in Kenya.
According to him, Kanu was allegedly unlawfully arrested in the East African country and extradited to Nigeria.
He said: “news has reached Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s family that he has been unlawfully arrested in Kenya, detained and has subsequently been the subject of extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria where he is now detained.”
Powerful while speaking on behalf of Kanu’s brother, Kingsley Kanu, called on the British High Commission in Nigeria to weigh in and save his brother from the hands of the Nigerian security operatives.
According to the statement, self-determination is a right of every individual as stated under the laws of the United Nations, hence making the arrest of Kane a ‘violatioj of International law.’
The statement partly reads, “My brother Nnamdi Kanu demands the right to self-determination for Biafra. Self-determination is the right to that underpins the United Nations. Because Biafrans support Nnamdi Kanu’s call for Biafran self-determination, my brother has now been subjected to the most serious violations of international law.”
“Whilst visiting Kenya, Nnamdi Kanu was detained and handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then flew him to Nigeria.
“My brother has been subject to extraordinary rendition by Kenya and Nigeria. They have violated the most basic principles of the rule of law. Extraordinary rendition is one of the most serious crimes states can commit. Both Nigeria and Kenya must be held to account. I demand justice for my brother, Nnamdi Kanu.
“Nnamdi Kanu holds both British and Nigerian citizenship. Nnamdi Kanu is Biafran, not Nigerian. He has rejected his Nigerian citizenship.
“The British High Commission in Nigeria must insist upon my brother’s immediate release. They must guarantee his safety and security. Nnamdi Kanu must be returned home to the UK to his wife and his sons who live here. The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, must make clear to the Nigerian authorities that they will not tolerate the unlawful detention of British citizens and that the UK Government condemns the Nigerians and Kenyans for undermining the rule of law. Foreign Secretary Raab must be clear. There will be consequences for those who resort to extraordinary rendition. The British Government must insist upon justice for Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Kanu has been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court made the order for his remand on Tuesday.
He is being tried on 11 count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms, improper importation of goods, among other weighty allegations.
