***Special Counsel Aloy Ejimakor Highlights Kanu’s Experience from Kenya Rendition in Letter to House of Lords
In a formal petition dated 18th January, 2024, Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has approached the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, seeking their intervention in the prolonged detention of Kanu in Nigeria.
Ejimakor’s letter, obtained by Vanguard, underscores Kanu’s status as a British citizen and self-determination advocate for Biafra. He draws attention to Kanu’s abduction from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021, emphasizing the need for UK lawmakers’ support in securing Kanu’s freedom. The lawyer directs his plea to the International Relations and Defence Committee of the House of Lords.
The letter outlines Kanu’s background, stating, “Mr. Kanu, a British national, is a political activist, advocating for self-determination for the people of Biafra, with the singular aim of creating a sovereign State of Biafra from Nigeria through a referendum.” It emphasizes Kanu’s leadership of IPOB, a legal entity registered in the UK, with global offices and chapters, operating nonviolently until its proscription by the Nigerian government in 2017.
Detailing the circumstances of Kanu’s arrest, the letter describes his involuntary exile from Nigeria, his legal entry into Kenya on a British passport, and subsequent abduction by Nigerian security forces. It narrates the violent manner in which he was taken to Nigeria, highlighting concerns about the lack of arrest or extradition warrants, and the alleged mistreatment and torture during his captivity.
Ejimakor further points out the Supreme Court’s remittance of Kanu’s case to the High Court, condemning the military attacks against him and his extraordinary rendition. The letter emphasizes the precarious health conditions of Mr. Kanu, urging urgent intervention from the UK government for his release and repatriation, citing three life-threatening conditions.
The concluding part of the letter respectfully presents prayers for the consideration of the House of Lords, urging the UK government to intervene, make demands on the Government of Nigeria for Kanu’s release, and consider sanctions if compliance is not met within a reasonable time.
This formal petition adds another layer to the ongoing international discourse surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, calling on the UK to play a role in resolving the matter diplomatically.
