The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was given up to the Nigerian government by “certain members of his tribal stock,” according to the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law.
In a report on Wednesday, Intersociety expressed concern for Kanu’s safety and well-being while in the custody of the Department of State Services, where he will most likely remain during his trial.
The group, in the report signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Obianuju Igboeli, and Chidimma Udegbunam, said, “The leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on the Saturday night of June 26. He appeared to have been trapped by some persons of his own tribal stock over some lingering issues.
“The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law is not worried over the recent arrest and bringing back of the IPOB Leader, but we are deeply concerned over his safety, healthcare and upkeep in the custody of the country’s Spy Police where he may likely remain throughout his trial period.
“The Nigerian Government must ensure the round-the-clock safety and welfare of the IPOB leader in its custody as it will be more catastrophically untamed should anything untoward happen to him.
“If a national or international citizen is standing trial under presumption of innocence until found judicially guilty and he or she is reported to have fled the jurisdiction under which he or she was standing trial, it is allowed under the international law and through legitimate diplomatic means to use non-lethal measures to bring him or her back to face and complete his or her trial.
“Exception to this rule is where he or she is running away from legitimate state persecution including attempts on his or her life and grave infringement on his or her other fundamental liberties. Under this, he or she is expected to be protected by the country that offers him or her temporary and protective shelter; otherwise he or she can be arrested and sent back to his or her country for continuation of the trial.
“Therefore, it is on record that the IPOB Leader did not flee Nigeria out of his own freewill in September 2017 but he escaped from being assassinated by the security forces of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
