- Kanu Illegally Detained For 8 Days, Tortured In Kenya Before Extradition, Lawyer Alleges
- Your Allegations ‘Fictional’, Targeted At Causing ‘Antagonistic Feelings’ — Kenyan High Commissioner Fires Back
Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead defence counsel to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that his client was illegally detained for eight days by the government of Kenya before his extradition to Nigeria on Sunday.
This comes as the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest and extradition have continued to bring up claims and counter-claims between Kanu’s camp and Kenya.
According to Ejiofor, Kanu had been arrested by Kenya’s Special Police Force and was in their custody for eight days before he was eventually handed over to the Nigerian goverment.
Kanu was extradited to the country on Sunday, according to the Nigerian goverment.
However, hard facts on the manner of the re-arrest and extradition of the separatist leader have since become scarce.
Ejiofor, who was recently granted access to his client disclosed on Friday that Kanu had been arrested on June 18.
Kanu’s counsel stated this in a statement he posted on his Facebook page. Ejiofor further alleged that his client was tortured and subjected to various forms of inhuman treatment in Kenya, a situation he said worsened his health condition.
According to him, a scan test conducted on Kanu’s heart revealed that his heart enlarged by 13 percent.
The statement reads, “He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition.
“He was illegally detained for eight (8) good DAYS in Kenya before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart.
“He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations.
“They later beckoned on their Nigerian Counterpart to take over.
“Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart.
“A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanizing treatment meted to him.
“There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu conveyed his goodwill message to all IPOB family members worldwide, and craved for your unrelentless prayers.
“We are going back to the Court for the needful. Other details cannot be entertained here.
“His fortified legal team will address these infractions at the proper forum as we progress. Other details on our legal strategy, may not be made public.
“With Chukwuokike Abiama on our side, Victory is assured. For if God Almighty be for us, who can be against us?”
Meanwhile, the Kenyan Government has once again denied claims that Kanu was arrested on its soil.
The Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Wilfred Machage who addressed a press conference on Friday denied his country’s involvement in the arrest of the IPOB leader.
This is coming after Kenya’s Director-General of Immigration Services, Alexander Muteshi, had debunked the claims of IPOB and the family of Kanu.
IPOB and the family of Kanu had claimed that their brother was re-arrested in Kenya.
According to IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, Kanu was allegedly “unlawfully” arrested in the East African country and extradited to Nigeria.
However, Machage has again reiterated the unawareness of his country in the arrest of the separatist leader.
While debunking the claims, the high commissioner also urged anyone that has facts to back his the allegations to come out rather than making ‘fictional and imaginary’ stories.
In his words, “I want to address this allegation by denying that Kenya was involved in the alleged arrest in extradition to Nigeria of Mr. Kanu.
“To us therefore, these allegations are fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings among certain section of the Nigerian people.
“I want to challenge anyone with facts relating to this alleged arrest in Kenya to present those facts. This includes when, where, how and who was particularly involved in the alleged arrest.
“We are also disturbed, dismayed and astonished by the unfortunate statement on the alleged arrest in Kenya which was carried in the dailies.
“The government of Kenya is particularly appalled by the spurious, derogatory and libelous mention of the name of our dear President on this matter.
“I, as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wish to categorically emphasize that our two countries Kenya and Nigeria have and continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with both the Federal Government of Nigeria and its great accommodating and amiable citizens.
“Kenya is committed to sustain this historical bond of friendship between our two governments and the peoples of our two countries. We wish to further cement our diplomatic relations with a view to ensure mutually beneficial relations between our two countries.
“In conclusion, on the case of the alleged arrest in Kenya of Mr. Kanu, I wish to categorically state that we are not happy at this ridiculous attempt of dragging the name of Kenya and HE. President Uhuru Kenyatta on this matter of arrest and extradition of self-claimed IPOB leader.”
