Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently rearrested by the Nigerian Government, has written to the British High Commission in Nigeria, seeking for consular assistance and an unconditional release as a British citizen.
Recall that the leader of the separatist group was arrested last Sunday and re-arraigned before an Abuja High Court on Tuesday, June 29.
However, in a statement to the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing by his legal counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu said the British authorities must declare that he is not a criminal.
He also noted that he only possessed a political opinion which the Nigerian authorities are seeking to “suppress.”
“We are solicitors to the British citizen, Mr. Okwu-Kanu (aka Nnamdi Kanu) the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on whose behalf and Instruction we write this letter to request urgent Consular assistance to be provided to him.
“He was intercepted in Kenya by Nigeria’s foreign security agents, brought to Nigeria against his will and is currently being detained in the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) custody in Abuja.
“Mr Kanu is a British citizen who was travelling on a valid British passport when he was seized in a third country and forcibly brought to Nigeria.
“Based on the foregoing, we hereby seek that Mr Kanu be granted every possible Consular assistance to which he is entitled as a British citizen.
“That Mr Kanu be categorized as a high profile political prisoner and be rendered the highest diplomatic protection under international laws.
“That the Nigerian authorities be directed to immediately allow access to Mr Kanu by his Lawyers, Doctors and Family members.
“That the British authorities file a Diplomatic Note or other legal processes with Nigeria’s Federal High Court and the Office of the Attorney General indicating her sovereign interest in Mr Kanu’s matter,” the statement read in part.
