British authorities has dashed hope of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over regaining his freedom.
Kanu, who was born on September 25, 1967, is a holder of Nigerian and British passports.
Upon his arrest on Sunday and extradition from a foreign country, he was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday for terrorism-related charges and has since been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services.
Read Also: Breaking: IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Rearrested, Extradited To Nigeria
Reacting, Kanu’s brother, Kingsley, who said his sibling was intercepted in Kenya, called on the UK government to secure his release.
However, this hope may have been dashed with a British document indicating that United Kingdom can’t get nationals out of prisons abroad.
Read Also: IPOB: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Was Arrested In Kenya – Brother
Kingsley had said;
The British High Commission in Nigeria must 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. The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, must make clear to the Nigerian authorities that they will not tolerate the unlawful detention of British citizens and that the UK Government condemns the Nigerians and Kenyans for undermining the rule of law.
Foreign Secretary, Raab must be clear. There will be consequences for those who resort to extraordinary rendition. The British Government must insist upon justice for Nnamdi Kanu.
However a manual titled ‘Support for British nationals abroad: A guide’ and published on the website of UK government, stated that British authorities can’t get anyone out of prison or detention because of their nationality.
The document read in part;
We can offer you information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, work possibilities, and social and welfare services. We can also explain where there are different regulations for remand prisoners and sentenced prisoners. For example, in some countries, prisoners are allowed to send more mail when they are on remand.
We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British. If however you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards we will consider approaching local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.
It added;
With your permission, we can consider taking up a complaint about ill-treatment, personal safety, or discrimination with the police or prison authorities.
Consular staff will keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting personally or by telephone/ letter. The frequency of visits will depend on local prison conditions and your personal circumstances.
If you are a dual British national in the country of your other nationality (for example, a dual Nigerian-British national in Nigeria), we would not normally offer you support or get involved in dealings between you and the authorities of that state. We may make an exception to this rule if, having looked at the circumstances of the case, we consider that you are vulnerable and we have humanitarian concerns.
We would not normally attend a court case involving a British national, and we cannot influence the outcome of any trial.
For years, Kanu had a running battle with President Muhammadu Buhari over his quest for the secession of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Buhari administration in September 2017 outlawed IPOB and declared that the activities of the group constituted an act of terrorism and illegality.
Read Also: UK Seeks Clarification Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest, To Provide Him Consular Assistance
Before then, Kanu was arrested and jailed but released from the Kuje Prison in Abuja after meeting bail conditions. However, the IPOB leader later jumped bail and fled the country and operated from overseas before he was reportedly captured on Sunday.
Kanu also formed the Eastern Security Network which the police have accused of being the masterminds of attacks on police stations, prisons and symbols of democracy in the zone but Kanu had denied the allegations.
Before he jumped bail in 2017, Kanu was facing 11 charges including terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods.
Read Also: Nnamdi Kanu Re-Arraigned In Court, To Be Remanded Till July 26
