Nnamdi Kanu: What FG, Kenya, Lawyer Did Not Tell Nigerians About IPOB Leader’s Arrest, Extradition

Since the Nigerian Government’s disclosure that the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, had been arrested and extradited to the country, there have been authoritative statements in public domain associated with the detained IPOB leader.

These statements are from the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Wilfred Machage and Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Recall that the Kenyan Government had been widely criticised for what some people termed as the “illegal” arrest and extradition of Kanu, prompting the Kenyan Envoy to speak out.

Machage, in a press briefing on Friday, denied the Kenyan Government’s involvement in Kanu’s arrest, adding that his country “have no intention of interfering with internal affairs of Nigeria which includes arresting of her own citizens on matters of crime.”

THE WHISTLER reports that the Nigerian and Kenyan Governments as well as Kanu’s lawyer were silent on the exact circumstances surrounding the IPOB leader’s arrest.

This has begged the question of who arrested and deported Kanu or whether or not due process was followed in the IPOB leader’s arrest and extradition.

ABUBAKAR MALAMI

On Tuesday, Malami revealed that Kanu was intercepted, implying that the IPOB leader was on transit either to or from a destination.

The AGF did not reveal the destination from where he was intercepted.

“He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11 count charge against him.

“Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day of June, 2021,” he said.

LAI MOHAMMED

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, categorically stated that Kanu was apprehended through collaboration with sister international agencies, implying the involvement of other countries or international agencies.

He did not identify which country or countries and agencies the country’s security forces collaborated with.

“Gentlemen, the Federal Government wishes to commend the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies, who collaborated to re-arrest the proscribed IPOB leader in one of the most classic operations of its type in the world. We commend the professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts of our security and intelligence agencies. We also thank the sister international agencies that collaborated with us to pull off this arrest,” said Mohammed.

IFEANYI EJIOFOR

Ejiofor, who is standing as Kanu’s lawyer, stated that his client told him that Kenyan authorities apprehended him for its Nigerian counterpart.

He added that his client was captured at the country’s international airport.

He did not disclose the airline he boarded at the instance of his arrest or where he flew from.

“My Client – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya’s Special Police Force on the 18th of June 2021 at their International Airport, and consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions.

“He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition. He was illegally detained for eight good DAYS in Kenya before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart,” he said.

KENYA HIGH COMMISSIONER TO NIGERIA, MACHAGE

After allegations against his country and the statement of an ‘undisclosed’ collaboration in Kanu’s arrest, Machage said that the Kenyan Government did not arrest Kanu.

He did not confirm or deny whether there was a “transfer” from Kenya to Nigeria security operatives as alleged by Kanu’s lawyer or the widespread claims from part of the South-east region.

“I want to address this allegation by denying that Kenya was involved in the alleged arrest in Kenya and the extradition to Nigeria, of Mr. Kanu.

“Thus, therefore, this allegation are fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings amongst the southern sections of the Nigerian people against the Kenyan people.

“I want to challenge anyone with the facts relating to this alleged arrest in Kenya to present this facts; this will include: one, How and who was particularly involved in the alleged arrest… we have no intention of interfering with internal affairs of Nigeria which includes arresting of her own citizens on matters of crime,” he said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dean Hurlock, a spokesperson of the British High Commission, said that Kanu was not extradited to Nigeria from Britain.