The United Nations has issued an urgent appeal to the Nigerian and Kenyan governments respectively over the continuous detention of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The UN in a statement appealed to the Nigerian government to with immediate effect stop any attempt to torture or violate the human rights of Kanu.
According to the statement, the UN noted that the urgent appeal was issued following a complaint filed by Kanu’s brother, Kanunta Kanu and his Special counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor.
Kanunta, in a petition written to the UN had cried out over the alleged ill-treatment meted out to his brother by the Nigerian government. The brother also alleged that Kanu was tortured by security operatives in Kenya before his extradition to Nigeria.
In a response to the petition, UN had appealed to the Nigerian and Kenyan government to immediately back down on any measure that would cause irreparable damage to the life or personal integrity of Kanu.
The statement said the United Nations is “alarmed by the alleged torture and ill-treatment Mr. Kanu has been subjected to during his illegal custody in Kenya.
It further read:” If confirmed, these allegations would constitute prima facie violations of fundamental human rights, including the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of liberty, and the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment under the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICCPR).
“The allegations in the case of Mr. Kanu raise serious violations of international human rights law and may cause irreparable damage to his life or personal integrity, which we believe warrants prompt attention. In this regard, we are considering to publicly express our concerns in this case in the near future, believing that the wider public should be informed about the implications of these allegations for the enjoyment and exercise of human rights in Kenya and Nigeria. Any public expression of concern in this regard, will indicate that we have been in contact with your Excellency’s Government to clarify the issue/s in question.
“While awaiting a reply, we urge that all necessary interim measures be taken to prevent any irreparable damage to the life or personal integrity of Mr. Kanu, halt the alleged violations and prevent their re-occurrence and in the event that the investigations support or suggest the allegations to be correct, to ensure the accountability of any person responsible of the alleged violations”.
Recall that Kanu was extradited to Nigeria on June 29. He has since been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since the extradition, IPOB had alleged that Kenya played an important role in the arrest of its leader.
The group had also alleged that Kanu was illegally detained for eight days by the government of Kenya before he was eventually handed over to the Nigerian goverment.
However, the Kenyan Government had denied claims that Kanu was arrested on its soil.
