UK Speaks On Kanu In Detention

Radio Biafra has published the letter from James Duddridge, the minister for Africa of Commonwealth of Nations, on the continued detention of its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

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Nnamdi Kanu in court

Pro-Biafra activists recently accused the world leaders, particularly the British government, about the silence over the arrest and detention of one of their citizens, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu was in mid-October this year arrested in Nigeria by the country’s secret police (DSS), charged to court where he was granted bail and still remains in DSS custody after meeting all bail conditions.

On his own part, James Duddridge writes that Mr Kanu has been charged with illegally entering Nigeria, conspiracy to incite violence and being the leader of an illegitimate society or group.

The letter reads in part: “Kanu is a dual Nigerian/British national. In cases involving dual nationals in their country of other nationality we do not usually provide consular assistance unless we judge an individual to be particular vulnerable. Following concerns raised by friends of Mr. Kanu to the Foreign and Commonwealth office, including about his well-being and ongoing medical condition, we judged it appropriate in this instance to offer assistance.

“The Nigerian Authorities granted access to our consular team to visit Mr Kanu on 3 November 2015 where he is being detained in Abuja. Mr Kanu has confirmed to us that he has access to a lawyer and that he does not require the British government to make any further representations to the Nigerian Authorities on his behalf. We do, however, intend to make a further consular visit to check on his well-being.”

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Pro-Biafra activists have been protesting against Kanu’s detention in different states.

Kanu has finally appeared before an Abuja Magistrate Court over charges bothering on alleged terrorism and sedition on Monday, November 22.

The prosecution counsel clarified that the reason for Biafra leader’s continued detention in the custody of the SSS was his inability to fully meet the requirement for the bail.