UN asks FG to explain Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, repatriation

The United Nations has raised concerns over the arrest and alleged torture of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The universal body, in its mandates of the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishments among others, said it also received information on allegations of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Mr Kanu by Kenyan security officials where he was allegedly intercepted before being illegally repatriated.

“While we do not prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, we would like to express our concern in relation to the enforced disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu from June 19, 2021, until his reappearance at Nigerian Federal High Court in Abuja on June 29, 2021, and his reported illegal rendition from Nairobi to Abuja without judicial process,” the mandate read.

Kanu’s lawyers and family have been accusing Kenya of colluding with the Nigerian government in the case.

“We are further alarmed by the alleged torture and ill-treatment Mr Kanu has been subjected to during his detention by the DSS in Nigeria. 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,” the mandate further read.

The UN, among other requests, asked the Federal Government to provide detailed information on Kanu’s current state of health and measures taken to prevent irreparable damage to his life.

“Please provide detailed information on the circumstances in which Mr Kanu was arrested, forcibly disappeared before being handed over to Nigerian authorities and transferred from Nairobi to Abuja.

Also provide any international arrest warrant that may have been issued against him, prior to his arrest,” the mandate also read.