Explanation For Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest, See What They Said.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government looks to be on a collision course with the British Government if the reaction of the British High Commission in Nigeria to the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is anything to go by.
Hours after Nigeria’s Attorney General of Federal, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest in a press briefing, the British High Commission responded through its spokesperson, Dean Hurlock.
In a first reaction, Hurlock denied speculations that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in the United Kingdom. He said in a text message, “we can confirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes.”
READ: See the Faces of the Eight-Man Gang that Rapped and Killed UNILORIN Female Student
Mr. Malami while announcing Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest refused to reveal where he was arrested but disclosed that he was brought back to Nigeria on Sunday.
Malami explained that the arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the Interpol,
What British High Commission Demanded Of Nigerian Government
In another reaction to Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, Hurlock in addition to his earlier statement that the arrest was not made on UK soil, disclosed that the British Government was “in the process of seeking clarification” from the Nigerian government.
Note that Nnamdi Kanu is also a British citizen.
Hurlock said the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office “stands ready to provide consular assistance” regarding the matter.
READ: OMG: Mother Kills Her 4-year-Old Daughter, Dumps Body In Pit Latrine
“The British High Commission in Abuja is currently in the process of seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest,” he said.
He added that the UK “would expect any trial or legal proceedings to follow due process” as Kanu’s prosecution resumes.
Different Stories About Where And How Nnamdi Kanu Was Arrested
There have been different stories about how Nnamdi Kanu was arrested but there is still yet to be an official disclosure on the subject.
The Addis Ababa Tale
Citing security sources, a top Nigerian newspaper on Tuesday said Nnamdi Kanu was rearrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Interpol following an intensive search for him by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in collaboration with its foreign counterparts.
According to the sources, when, following the storming of his parent’s compound in Afaraukwu, Abia State, by a detachment of soldiers on 14th September 2017, Kanu ‘disappeared’ virtually into thin air, the federal government felt concerned. Since both, his Nigerian and British passports were still in the custody of the Federal High Court in Abuja, there were strong suspicions that Kanu got the support of the United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria for his escape. That was later proved to be the case.
Another security source, who spoke last night, said the federal government was further incensed when a global human rights agency sent a letter to the Permanent Mission in New York, asking Nigeria to either produce Kanu or explain his whereabouts.
“Only a few days later, Kanu surfaced in Jerusalem, Israel, with a photograph taken at the ‘Wailing Wall’ where he granted one of those his stupid interviews,” said the source.
The security source explained that whereas Kanu breached all the conditions for which he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 29th April 2017, he orchestrated a campaign of calumny against the country.
“First, he went into hiding, creating the impression that he was killed by soldiers and when he eventually appeared, he became more emboldened in his criminal activities,” she said.
Kanu, according to the security source, was able to travel to many countries around the world because he holds a British passport.
READ: Turkish Diplomat Erkahraman Warns President Buhari To Stop Killing Biafrans (VIDEO)
“With that, he thought he was invincible. From wherever location, he was operating from (and I can tell you that he has not been to the UK in the past two years), he used the power of social media to cause havoc by making incendiary broadcasts,” she said.
With the money Kanu reportedly garnered through fundraising to “establish his phantom Biafran Republic”, according to the source, Kanu lived large, and that eventually proved to be his undoing.
“What he did not know was that the security agencies were on his trail. His lifestyles consisted mostly of going out with different women, buying expensive pieces of jewelry, chartering aircraft, and drinks. And because he got many gullible people who were donating to his so-called IPOB, he had so much money to play with such that he even hired lobby groups for his propaganda activities,” the security source disclosed.
She explained that the security agencies have intercepts of how Kanu formed the Eastern Security Networks (ESN) and how the members became a terror group as well as his directives to IPOB operatives that bordered on incitement to violence.
“We know those he collaborated with to instigate the killings against the police in the South-east,” said the source who added that it was on Kanu’s instruction that certain prominent politicians from the Southeast should be visited with violence whenever they are sighted abroad.
The source cited the specific example of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
After trailing Kanu for several months and infiltrating his ranks, the security agencies finally pinned him into Addis Ababa where he was arrested by Interpol and then extradited to Abuja last Sunday.
The Kenya Tale
According to Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Kingsley Kanu, the IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya.
In a statement released by Kingsley Kanu on Wednesday, he said his brother was detained while visiting Kenya and “handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then flew him to Nigeria”.
Kingsley said Kanu has been “subjected to the most serious violations of international law” because of his quest for self-determination.
“Whilst visiting Kenya, Nnamdi Kanu was detained and handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then flew him to Nigeria,” he said.
“My brother has been subject to extraordinary rendition by Kenya and Nigeria. They have violated the most basic principles of the rule of law. Extraordinary rendition is one of the most serious crimes states can commit.
“Both Nigeria and Kenya must be held to account. I demand justice for my brother, Nnamdi Kanu.”
He asked the British High Commission in Nigeria to “insist upon my brother’s immediate release.”
“They must guarantee his safety and security. Nnamdi Kanu must be returned home to the UK to his wife and his sons who live here,” he said.
The South America Tale
In another account, Nnamdi Kanu was said to have been arrested in a South American country after he was lured by a beautiful woman, a Nigerian Lady working undercover with Nigerian security agencies.
A source who did not give details of what Nnamdi Kanu was doing with the lady in the South American country, confirmed that Nnamdi Kanu left his London abode where as a British citizen, he has rights and flew to the South American country, thereby falling prey to security operatives.
The source said that on arriving at the popular South American country, the undercover agent ushered him to a hotel which unknown to Kanu was already secured by intelligence operatives.
The IPOB leader was subsequently tranquilized with a suspected high dose of drugs that knocked him off before he was moved into a vehicle and driven to the airport.
Thereafter, the source said Kanu was flown to Nigeria in a private jet which was already on standby for the journey to Nigeria and that he slept all through the journey.
A source said the successful arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by the coordinated efforts of Nigerian Security Agencies led by the National Intelligence Agency and Interpol and his subsequent Movement to Nigeria, was the reason President Buhari’s scheduled trip to London for medical checkup was postponed.
The planning and execution of the arrest and his movement to Nigeria was said to be ‘an Ultra-Secret Intelligence Mission’ which many diplomatic and other officials, even in government were not privy to.
IPOB’s Reaction To Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest
The reaction of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, the secessionist group led by Nnamdi Kanu was that his arrest will not stop the struggle for Biafra.
FLASHBACK: May Allah Punish Me, Not Let Me Live In Peace If I Dump PDP, Matawalle Said In 2019 Video [WATCH]
“IPOB will not relent in the pursuit of Biafra freedom,” IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said in a statement.
“We have crossed the Rubicon in our struggle for the restoration of Biafran Sovereignty.
“There is no going back no matter the level of intimidation by our oppressors.”
IPOB having initially denied the arrest of its leader said Kanu was “abducted” by the Nigerian government “in collaboration with all those that view IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as stumbling block against their bid to hold Biafra in perpetual slavery.”
Powerful also warned Nigerian government that nothing should happen to their leader.
“Our Leader can never be coerced into abandoning the struggle for Biafra restoration irrespective of the circumstance,” Powerful said.
At this very challenging moment in the history of our march to freedom, all IPOB family members must stand firm and resolute behind our selfless leader.”
Powerful stated that Kanu deserves justice and a fair hearing as he faces trial on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society and illegal possession of firearms.
Nnamdi Kanu Back In Court To Continue His Trial
Nnamdi Kanu alongside four others were arraigned before the Federal High Court on a six-count criminal charge bordering on a treasonable felony in June 2016.
Though they pleaded not guilty to the charge, different judges, including Justice Nyako, who heard the case denied their bail.
However, Justice Nyako soft-pedaled following Kanu’s deteriorating health and admitted him to bail to enable him to access quality medical care.
The court, on April 25, 2017, had admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million and three sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a serving senator. This made Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stand in for him.
However, Kanu’s bail was revoked in March 2019 and a bench warrant for his arrest issued in November 2019, following his long absence in court for his trial.
The court also separated the trial of Kanu from five others earlier arraigned with him to pave the way for the continuation of their trial.
But with his arrest and extradition, Kanu was brought before Justice Nyako by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), to continue his trial.
The Federal High Court complex in Abuja was completely taken over by a contingent of policemen to prevent a possible security breach by Kanu’s supporters.
Few minutes to his entering the dock, Malami, at an emergency press briefing, told judicial correspondents that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and was being taken to court for continuation of his trial.
Malami, who was flanked by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman; police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, and his DSS counterpart, Dr. Peter Afunanya, was silent on where Kanu was arrested.
He said: “Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.
“He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11- count charge against him.
“Recent steps taken by the federal government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday, the 27th day of June 2021.
“Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State, is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued on 17th October 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos.”
Malami added that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015, on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.
Malami added that Kanu, upon jumping bail, engaged in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio, and online broadcasts against Nigeria and its institutions.
“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in the South-eastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, paramilitary, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.”
However, following his appearance in court, Justice Nyako ordered Kanu to be remanded in the custody of the DSS.
The remand order was sequel to an application by the federal government’s lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran.
Ruling on the remand application, Justice Nyako held that the prosecution should inform Kanu’s lawyer of his re-arrest and remand in the custody of the DSS, as well as the next, adjourned date.
The judge subsequently adjourned till July 26 for the continuation of the trial.
Nnamdi Kanu Justifies His Decision To Jump Bail
Before the court yesterday, Kanu tried to rationalise his jumping bail, saying he abandoned his trial and escaped out of the country in 2017 following a threat to his life.
Having been secretly ferried to the Federal High Court by operatives of the DSS for the continuation of trial, Kanu sought the permission of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to address the court and present his side of the story.
Though he did not have any legal representation, Kanu, who was dressed in a black tracksuit, looked healthy and unruffled.
He explained that he did not deliberately abscond from the court to avoid trial.
He said his disappearance was due to the unlawful invasion of his house by security agents, in an operation, he said resulted in the death of many innocent people.
He added that he went underground to avoid being killed.
He said: “My lord, my house was invaded and people were killed. I would have been killed too if I had not hidden myself. That was why I have been unable to attend court.
“I would have been killed the way others were killed when my house was invaded.”
Justice Nyako asked him to get in touch with his lawyer to brief him about all that had transpired in the case in his absence.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Reacts To His Arrest, Insists He Has Committed No Crime
The family of Nnamdi Kanu yesterday told the Federal Government not to maltreat their son.
His younger brother, Emmanuel, told journalists in Umuahia that Kanu is on the path of truth and has not committed any crime to deserve persecution.
He said the IPOB leader was only demanding freedom for Biafrans, which is their fundamental human right.
He warned the federal government to handle their son with caution, adding that the whole world is watching.
“My brother (Kanu) has awoken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.
“He stood for the truth, and heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth. My brother committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel stated.
Nigerian Government Accuse Kanu Of Murder
In a letter addressed to Western diplomats by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, Nnamdi Kanu was accused of orchestrating the killing of 60 persons and the destruction of property in 55 violent attacks across the South East and South South Zones within four months, the memo disclosed.
The letter dated April 26, 2021, detailed atrocities committed by members of IPOB on the alleged instruction of Kanu who was then in exile.
With several Kanu’s broadcasts from Europe, there were concerns in official quarters that some western countries were justifying IPOB’s violent acts under the guise of the group’s pursuit of self-determination.
According to the details contained in the letter, the Federal Government objected to a statement by an agency of a western nation whose government had noted and admitted that the creation of Eastern Security Network (ESN), based on its own understanding, was to combat insecurity.
The Federal Government, in its letter, however considered the statement (by the western nation) as “justifying the establishment of a militia by a non-state actor and glossing over the destructive and violent acts of IPOB and the ESN.”
“In under four months this year, IPOB has carried out over fifty-five (55) violent acts in various parts of Southeast Nigeria killing scores of people and destroying many properties.”
“Indeed it would seem that the position of the (western nation) seems to have further emboldened Nnamdi Kanu the self-confessed leader of IPOB.
“As recently as 22nd April, 2021, broadcasting online from his base in London, Mr Kanu has issued series of instructions to his militia and other members of the outlawed organisation, on acts of violence to be carried out within the territory of Nigeria,” the Federal Government stated in the letter.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEWS YOU WANT TO REPORT? CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT YOUR NEWS FOR PUBLICATION ON TOKTOK9JA
WATCH MORE NEWS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
JUST IN: British Government Demands Explanation For Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest, See What They Said.
Professional freelancer and webmaster.
+ There are no comments
Add yours