Ibe Pascal Arogorn
The British High Commission says Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was not arrested in the UK.
The fugitive leader of the outlawed group was arrested on Sunday, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Malami had said Kanu was arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.
However, he neither gave details of the operation nor stated where Kanu was arrested.
Since the IPOB leader was known to have stayed in the UK after he fled Nigeria, many had concluded that he was arrested in Britain.
Kanu is a dual citizen of Britain and Nigeria.
But Dean Hurlock, a spokesperson of the British High Commission, told TheCable that Kanu was not picked up in the UK.
“We can confirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes,” the online newspaper quoted him to have said.
After Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave an order for Kanu to be remanded in custody until July 26, 2021, the IPOB leader told the court that he decided to go underground because his house was raided but he was able to escape.
Kanu said if he had not escaped, he might have been killed like other members of the group.
Nyako had granted Kanu bail on health grounds in 2017.
The judge had barred the IPOB leader from granting press interview while on bail.
The judge also gave a stern warning to the defendant not to participate in any rally or be found in a crowd of more than 10 persons.
But Kanu flouted all the bail conditions and eventually fled abroad, from where he incited his followers.
Kanu doesn’t deserve any sympathy, Arewa youths hail FG
The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima, on Tuesday, commended the Federal Government for the remandment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Shetimma in a chat with newsmen on Tuesday said that Kanu does not deserve any sympathy.
He said, “We commend the government for this action. Though his arrest came late but it is better late than never. The harm he did to the nation the first time he was arrested was far lesser than the harm he has caused this country since he jumped bail.
“We understand that he was taken to court today and we demand a speedy trial and he should be prosecuted immediately.
“Nobody should sympathise with him. Sympathising with him will not only do harm to Nigeria but it will bring more damage than one cannot even imagine.
“His case should serve as a deterrent to the likes of him who in future may want to behave the way he did.
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“So, we commend the federal government for this effort and we look forward to seeing the outcome of this trial.”
Nnamdi Kanu’s Family To FG: Don’t Manhandle Our Son, He’s Only A Freedom Fighter
The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has asked the Federal Government not to manhandle their son and the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
His younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke in Umuahia, said Nnamdi stood on the part of the truth and committed no crime to deserve any persecution.
According to him, Nnamdi was only asking for the freedom of Biafrans which is their fundamental human rights. Hence, his right should be respected.
He said the whole world is watching on how the Federal Government would handle him.
Prince Emmanuel noted that his brother had awaken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.
“My brother stood for the truth, and Heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth.
“He committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel added.
Meanwhile, there has been uneasy calm across Umuahia, when the news of his aresst filtered in.
People were observed discussing the matter in hushed tones with some people still bewildered about the entire scenario, while some doubted the reality of the news.
I might have bene killed if I did not leave Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu tells court
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he might have been killed if he did not leave Nigeria.
When he was brought to court on Tuesday, the IPOB leader said he had to leave after soldiers raided his residence in Abia state.
Kanu was facing trial for alleged treason before he jumped bail and fled the country in December 2017.
He left the court during a military operation in which soldiers clamped down on his supporters in Abia and reportedly killed some of them.
They had also besieged his residence but he eventually escaped, first to Ghana, before returning to the UK where he is based.
TheCable had reported how the IPOB leader was extradited to Nigeria after his arrest and brought to the federal high court in Abuja, where Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, granted an order for his remand.
Shortly after the ruling that he should remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), Kanu, who was without his lawyer, indicated interest to speak.
He then told the judge that the invasion of his residence forced him to flee the country.
He cited the invasion as the reason for his prolonged absence in court — despite an arrest warrant issued against him.
Nyako, the judge, then told him he should not have jumped his bail, and asked him to consult with his lawyers as the matter has been addressed.
Joe Igbokwe celebrates Nnamdi Kanu’s rearrest, says Nigerians now understand why Buhari postponed
Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has celebrated the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Igbokwe, who said Kanu’s arrest indicated that it’s all over, said Nigerians now understand why President Muhammadu Buhari postponed his medical trip to London.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage and Water Resources made the remark while celebrating the rearrest of Kanu.
In a series of posts on his Facebook page, the APC chieftain prayed that the souls of those lost in the Southeast will now rest in peace.
He wrote: “Nnamdi Kanu, it is all over.
“To God be the glory. May the souls of hundreds of young men who lost their lives in the Southeast rest in perfect peace. Amen! An endless alleluia!!!
“You can now understand why PMB postponed his UK visit last week.”
IPOB’s lawyer speaks on Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest
The lead counsel to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said the arrest and arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu earlier Tuesday was without his knowledge.
“We have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja about the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State,” Mr Ejiofor said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge,” the attorney added.
He said regardless of the offences or charge against his client, he is still presumed innocent of the allegation under the law.
Mr Kanu, who is being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony, was re-arrested and returned to Nigeria on Sunday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said earlier
According to the AGF, the IPOB leader was arrested through “collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.”
Although, Mr Kanu is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom, the AGF did not give the details of the exact place of his arrest and the diplomatic collaborations the operation must have involved.
The trial judge, Binta Nyako, ordered the detention of Mr Kanu in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) at his first court appearance since 2017 on Tuesday.
The judge also granted an accelerated hearing in the trial involving charges of treasonable felony filed against him.
Mrs Nyako ruled that the case earlier scheduled to come up on October 20, be brought forward to July 26 and 27, 2021.
Speaking in court, Mr Kanu defended himself, insisting that he did not jump bail but only fled the country for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, Mr Ejiofor has said the IPOB legal team will be in court on the date.
“As it is in the public domain, the matter has been consequently adjourned to the 26th Day of July 2021, for continuation of trial,” the lawyer said.
“The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date. We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial which is his constitutionally protected right.
“His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards, should be enforced.
Our fortified Legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the Charge and disposition of the Court. Await further update from us as we progress.”
Kanu’s Arrest Not End Of Biafran Affair, Referendum Must Hold – Collation Of Northern Groups
The Coalition of Northern Groups has said that the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not the end of the Biafran agitation.
In a statement by its spokesman Abdul-Azeez Suleiman on Tuesday, the group called on the Federal Government to allow the full course of justice to take effect, adding that a referendum is necessary to determine the finite outcome of all agitations for sovereignty.
“Nobody should make the mistake of assuming that the arrest is anywhere near the end of the Biafran affair.
“We stand our ground that a referendum must be held to determine this and all other agitations for self-determination from any part of the country,” the statement read in part.
The group said it received the news of the arrest and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu with mixed feelings of apprehension and appreciation.
The coalition commended the effort of the Federal Government and the agencies that made this possible, particularly the International Police and authorities of the United Kingdom for honoring their obligations with Nigeria.
It however noted that apprehension will remain until the full course of justice takes effect.
