Kanu’s family faults UK over silence on his detention

Kanu

The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed concern over what it describes as the British government’s inaction regarding the circumstances surrounding his continued detention by the Nigerian government.

In a statement titled “Kanu Family Earthquake Statement: Britain’s Role in the Case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” and made available to the press by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the family urged the UK to take a firmer stance in defending the rights of its citizen.

Spokesman for the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, said the statement was made “in defense of truth, justice, and in memory of victims of past conflicts involving the region.”

The family reiterated its long-standing view that Mazi Kanu, a UK citizen, was wrongfully abducted in Nairobi, Kenya in June 2021, and brought to Nigeria in a manner that it believes violated international legal norms and his rights as a British national.

“This case raises serious legal and humanitarian questions. The silence of the British government so far has been disappointing,” the family said.

According to the family, after Mazi Kanu’s detention in Nigeria, British consular officials visited him in custody but have not, to their knowledge, provided public clarity on the legal or diplomatic steps being taken.

“He asked why the UK was silent while a citizen faced trial for actions carried out in the UK where IPOB is not banned. No clear answer was provided,” the family stated.

They expressed concern that the alleged offenses cited by Nigerian authorities were initially linked to broadcasts from the UK, but that references to the UK were later removed from the charges — a development they believe raises further questions. Punch