UK Seeks Clarification Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest, To Provide Him Consular Assistance

By Tunde Serano On Jul 1, 2021

British High Commission says it is “in the process of seeking clarification” from the Federal Government regarding the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Head of Communications, British High Commission in Nigeria, Dean Hurlock.

He added that the United Kingdom would expect any legal trial or proceeding to follow due process.

Kanu, who is also a British citizen, was arrested on Sunday and extradited to Nigeria to face trial for alleged treason.

Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), said on Tuesday that the IPOB leader was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.”

As controversies and speculations raged over where and how Kanu was arrested and extradited to the country on Sunday, the British High Commission dispelled rumours he was arrested in the United Kingdom, where he was based before his arrest in 2015.

Hurlock said;

We are aware of reports that Nnamdi Kanu has been detained in Nigeria by the Federal Government. We can confirm that Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes.

Kanu, who was born on September 25, 1967, is a holder of Nigerian and British passports.

Upon his arrest and extradition from a foreign country, he was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the 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 (DSS).

Hurlock continued;

The British High Commission in Abuja is currently in the process of seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest.

With regard to any questions about whether the British High Commission are providing assistance in this case, we can confirm that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stands ready to provide consular assistance.

The British official added that the British Government “expects any trial or legal proceedings to follow due process.”

When prodded on the “consular assistance”, the British official made reference to the UK manual on ‘Support for British nationals abroad: A guide’.

The document reads 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. With your permission, we can consider taking up a complaint about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination with the police or prison authorities.

It added;

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.

Although, Malami did not state where the separatist leader was apprehended, Kingsley, Kanu’s brother said he was taken away from Kenya.

Reports claim that he was lured to the African country with a promise of cash donations and was then picked up.

Security sources said he was tracked through some IPOB members who were recently arrested following a massive military operation in the Southeast.