Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Biafra Indigenous people (Ipob), a prominent separatist movement banned in Nigeria, has been detained there since June last year. The Nigerian government has previously said it was extradited to the country’s capital, Abuja, with the help of Interpol, but his family claims the father of two was arrested and tortured in Kenya before being transferred to Nigeria. In a legal letter to Secretary of State Liz Truss, the family’s lawyers, Bindmans LLP, said there was “overwhelming evidence” that he had been extradited. He cites Kanu’s testimony to lawyers and his brother, an expert report, which identified the flight they believe was illegally flown and the Nigerian government’s failure to provide details on how Kanu – who did not his British passport. he – came to be there. Bindmans, who has previously threatened legal action over Kanu’s lack of consular assistance, says Truss needs to take a stand on whether there has been a violation of international law or whether he will face legal action. “If Mr Kanu has been extradited, it is a serious breach of international law which has a significant impact on the foreign minister’s discretion as to the steps he must take to assist Mr Kanu in accordance with international law. and domestic law. “, Wrote Bindmans’s lawyer, Shirin Marker. “Forming an opinion as to whether there has been a breach of international law and, if so, the gravity of the breach is therefore a prerequisite for exercising discretion to take further action in international and domestic law.” The letter states that Kanu was in Kenya last June when he was arrested by the country’s security services, who took him to a house where he was chained to the floor and beaten for about eight days. He boarded a private jet on June 27 and flew to Abuja, he continues. His brother, Kingsley Kanu, said: “With each passing day, I am increasingly concerned about my brother’s detention welfare and I am increasingly frustrated with the ineffectiveness of the UK Government in assisting him. “I hope the court will decide that the foreign minister must acknowledge the seriousness of my brother’s condition and properly consider what other measures he can take to help him in light of his excellent tradition.” Kanu was arrested in Nigeria in 2015 and charged with terrorist offenses and incitement, following a broadcast on the digital radio station Radio Biafra, which he founded at his home in London. Two years later he was released on bail and left the country after an attack on his family home, which he claimed killed 28 Ipob members. In January, he pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges. Both Nigerian and Kenyan authorities have denied that Kenya was involved in the arrest. The UK Foreign Office and the top Nigerian and Kenyan committees in London were asked to comment.
