The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the British Government to intervene in his case by asking President Muhammadu Buhari to release him from prison.
Kanu who is facing treason charge alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, approached the British government through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Kanu, in a letter dated March 24 and addressed to the British High Commissioner in Abuja, described himself as a victim of travesty of justice and gross human rights violation.
He insisted that the President Buhari-led administration has violently abused his fundamental human rights through his prolonged detention in prison custody.
Even though Kanu said he was ready to answer to the charge against him, he however expressed doubt in the ability of the Nigerian government to accord him fair trial, saying he has so far been subjected to immense persecution.
Stressing that he is a British citizen, Kanu told the UK government that he was wrongly arrested and put in detention.
“It is repeating the obvious to state that our client is a full British citizen, by virtue of which position he is entitled to all Rights, Privileges and Protection, guaranteed under the British Laws and conventions.
“We are therefore constrained in the circumstance, to formally notify the British Government via this medium, of our well informed reservations, and apprehension, that our client is undergoing persecution in the charge above referred, and deliberate design by the persecutors to frustrate every effort of the Defense team aimed at giving our client a fair trial”. Kanu, through his lawyer, contended that his detention from October 14, 2015 till January 20, 2016, without any lawful order of court, was not only unlawful, but was in flagrant disobedience of orders of courts of competent jurisdiction which he said directed his unconditional release and discharge.
“It is the position of our Law, that dual citizenship is a constitutional right of the citizens of Nigeria, clearly provided for under section 28 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011. Dual citizenship is not a crime under our Law.
Reservations on President’s comment
“Our reservations on the President’s comment was underpinned by the findings made in the ruling delivered on February 29, 2016, by Hon. Justice John Tsoho, wherein our client and the two other defendants were denied bail.
“Recalled that on December 29, 2015, during the Presidential Media Chat, the President told the whole world that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be granted bail, alleging that he came into the country without a valid travelling passport.
“This pronouncement was roundly condemned by both local and international commentators. His pronouncement was viewed as a clear usurpation of the functions and powers of the judiciary.
“Though very regrettable and extremely unfortunate, Nnamdi Kanu was refused bail on January 29, 2016. In refusing him and other defendants bail, the court also cited the facts of his possession of dual passports as a flight risk, and as such held that he cannot be granted bail.”
Kanu maintained that Justice Tsoho denied him bail “in line with the pronouncement of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in his media chat telecasted live on December 29, 2015.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Oya let us read all the misguided hatred for this man. As if he is the cause of your miserable lives. How many hours of light did you have today or did you queue for 4 hours for diesel? Army no flog you today? Look at your miserable life of change and redirect it to kanu. You are truly mentally deranged animals if you can not direct your miserable frustrations to the right places
ReplyDeleteOne of the most senseless comments I've read of recent!
DeleteI won't be surprised if I eventually discover that you're under 18yrs.
So Mr. Kanu na now u know say u b a full British citizen?
Why u no just sit down jeje for UK instead of coming to naija to cause katakata?
It's too late bro...next time you think before doing not do before doing
...KJoe
Kanu is a fool he has seen nothing yet.
DeleteKanu is a fool he has seen nothing yet.
DeleteTrue Nigerians that were born and raised in the UK or elsewhere normally behave in true British way,only this unfortunate people who entered Britain during the unfortunate Tony Blair era then claimed asylum who now shouts and claim citizenship.Well,the present Conservative Government has answers for you guys,they know most of you are a disgrace to Britain thereby enacting the new law allowing you to be stripped of your claim if you were born elsewhere or have dual nationality.Britain detained Bobby Sands in prison until he died because he wanted a separate country for Ireland,Google his name to get facts.
ReplyDeleteBritish citizen indeed. You want to destabilize Nigeria and run back to UK. No wonder.
ReplyDeleteWhy is UK citizen fight for biafra (a region in naija)? I thought he has tear off his UK and Naija passport too to use biafra passport as he ordered his follower to do.
ReplyDeleteOjukwu said he is proud of what he did about biafra but it will be a mistake for anyone to do it again.
l know Real lgbo people respect the words of the Elders.
Kanu should be granted bail. l have not seen anything too detestable in all his activities as a leader of IPOB. Incarcerating him for life is injustices of worse order.
ReplyDeleteSo many people have died because someone somewhere thought it best to start a hate campaign without taking everything into cognisance. There is freedom and there is responsibility. Was a referendum carried out along the length and breadth of Southern Nigeria to determine if people were ready to take up arms in the name of cessation? There are better ways of agitating for your rights and hate campaigns are not the only way. As the current government is finding out, hate campaigns against the person of Jonathan was never the solution to Nigeria's collective problems. Kanu directing hate campaigns against certain individuals and tribes is also not the most intelligent thing to do. I know the British government. Na siddon look dem go dey do. Kanu you should've thought of a non violent approach.
ReplyDeleteReferendum to carry arms? Are you ok?
DeleteThis guy is really daft. So because you have a British passport you can go and destabilise your country of birth and expect Britain to bail you out? Do you know what Britain did to Bobby Sands - the IRA leader who wanted secession? He died in prison of hunger strike along with his cohorts. Man, you haven't seen anything yet. I thought you came to a zoo called Nigeria? You'll see what zoos do to senseless men.
ReplyDeleteNice try...so that's your joker?
ReplyDeleteMen! It's often said that when you live a glass house, you avoid throwing stone. Do you think you're intelligent than thousands of faithful citizens of Nigerians trying to come to table for dialogue? Nigerians are home and broad should always wish the best for her country because nothing good comes from cessation but brake-down of law and order and this wouldn't pay off. We need nothing but peaceful coexistence in Nigeria and nothing more. Power belongs to God only
ReplyDeleteKanu is a big fool. so if he is released as a Britiko what happens to his detained colleagues. On the other hand it serves them well next time they should reason but jumping in silly offers. Kanu u are a big failure and u will rot in prison.
ReplyDeleteAs you all are fighting for Nigeria is so funny. This country where you are made to suffer and smile like a goat. Nigeria no send for you and more suffering to come. Zoo mumu lives slaves loving thier masters more than themselves. Enjoy your suffer suffer while your leaders run abroad to cool off every 2 weeks. Gullible foolish ignorant people. And you wonder why some whites think we are sud human. Suffering and smiling people.
ReplyDeleteSo una leave light and food and everything else wey make una dey live like chuch rat in Nigeria dey drink kanu panadol? Una be buffoons oh. Now we know why kanu is in prison. To keep you morons busy looking at the wrong issue. A nation of misdirected angry people. They will release kanu back to the UK and you odes will still be suffering . Olodo!
ReplyDeleteStupid kanu
ReplyDelete