BW Global Group LLC, an American lobbyist, intervened in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Nigerian secessionist group, who was illegally arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria.
Attorney of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, announced on Tuesday that Kanu, who fled Nigeria in 2017, during which he escaped an assassination attempt by government forces that raided his home in Umuahia, killing dozens of civilians, was “intercepted ‘on Sunday’… brought back to Nigeria, in order to continue facing trial after disappearing”.
BW Global, whom the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) hired in March to advocate for his secessionist group in the US State Department and Congress, said his detention and repatriation were illegal.
The company said by email Thursday that the illegal repatriation of Kanu to Nigeria “would violate international law,” noting that it has filed a complaint with UK authorities over the treatment of Kanu, a dual Nigerian-UK citizen.
The company did not disclose other actions and plans to secure the release of the separatist leader who resurfaced in the country on June 27 and appeared in federal court in Abuja blindfolded and handcuffed, where his trial was adjourned for a month — July 26, 2021.
Meanwhile, just 24 hours after Kenyan authorities denied that Mr. Kanu had been arrested in the country; Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer for the separatist leader, said his client confirmed he was arrested in Kenya and ill-treated before being handed over to Nigerian authorities.
“My Client – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya’s Special Police Force on the 18th of June 2021 at their International Airport, and consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions,” said Ejiofor.
“He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition. He was illegally detained for eight (8) good DAYS in Kenya before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart.
“He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations. They later beckoned on their Nigerian Counterpart to take over.
“Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart.”
The lawyer also said that Nnamdi Kanu needed medical attention after confirming that the torture affected his heart.
“A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanizing treatment meted to him. There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him,” he said.