Nigeria
Nnamdi Kanu’s health is failing, according to lawyer’s letter to EU
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is suffering from a worsening physical condition, according to Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to the IPOB leader.
The Federal Government will consider a request from the EU, according to Ejimakor, who on Wednesday drafted a letter to the European Union in Nigeria and shared a copy of it on his Twitter page.
He went on to say that the EU should push the Federal Government to stop prosecuting Kanu for crimes and instead work with him to find a political solution to the Biafran issue.
“We the solicitors of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whose behalf and instruction we hereby most respectfully request for the urgent intervention of European Union Delegation in encouraging the Government of Nigeria to swiftly implement the opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the relevant ruling of the Federal High Court of Nigeria (Umuahia) regarding the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being held by the GON in
“Your superiority
Our decision to raise this issue to the EU Mission in Nigeria (and, by extension, your home governments) was motivated by the EU’s strong human rights record and the Mission’s ability to exert transnational diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to act morally.
We are also extremely concerned about Mr. Kanu’s deteriorating health, which has been made worse by the cruel incarceration practices he has been subjected to, including being held in solitary confinement since June 27, 2021.
“Therefore, we expect that your mission and home governments will give our humbling prayers the most urgent and prompt attention and consideration.”
The attorney continued by saying that the EU’s intervention would be required to persuade the Federal Government to follow “the letter and spirit of the United Nations Working Group Opinion, the judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria (Umuahia), the judgment of the High Court of Abia State, and the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in all matters relating to Mr. Kanu.”
The EU should “intervene with the Government of Nigeria, encouraging it to suspend and refrain from further criminal pursuit of Mr. Kanu and instead to actively engage him in finding political solution to the Biafran crisis,” he further stated.
The Federal Government asserted that Kanu was simply dismissed and not acquitted, despite the fact that the Court of Appeal had released him in October.
After Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the announcement during a news conference in Abuja back in June 2021, Kanu was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya in 2021.
Punch