The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the United Kingdom of aiding the Nigerian government in detaining Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu holds British citizenship. IPOB claims the UK ignored repeated rulings that declared his detention unlawful.
Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, released a statement condemning the UK’s “continued silence” over the case.
He also alleged that the silence signals “apparent complicity.”
According to IPOB, Nigerian agents abducted Kanu in Kenya in June 2021 without following legal procedures.
They then forcefully returned him to Nigeria, violating international extradition laws.
The group stated that Kanu’s abduction breached several legal instruments. These include Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act and Article 12(4) of the African Charter.
Furthermore, IPOB cited Articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as violated.
The group listed three major rulings that found Nigeria guilty of violating Kanu’s rights.
First, a United Nations panel in 2022 described Kanu’s detention as arbitrary. The panel also urged his release and compensation.
Secondly, the Kenyan High Court ruled that Kanu’s arrest in Kenya was unconstitutional. The court awarded him damages for the illegal act.
Thirdly, in October 2022, Nigeria’s Court of Appeal ruled that the extraordinary rendition violated Nigerian laws and nullified legal proceedings against him.
Additionally, a Federal High Court in Umuahia awarded ₦500 million to Kanu for similar violations.
Despite these rulings, IPOB lamented the British government’s silence. The group compared this to Britain’s strong reaction in the 1984 Dikko Affair.
In that case, Britain condemned Nigeria’s attempted abduction of Umaru Dikko in London. The incident triggered a diplomatic crisis and sanctions.
IPOB quoted Justice Karibi-Whyte’s ruling in Dikko v. State. He said courts could not try suspects abducted illegally.
The group accused Britain of betraying its own legal principles. IPOB insists that Britain’s silence now signals “complicity, not neutrality.”
The group also noted that Kanu’s alleged offenses occurred in the UK and involved political speech.
Under British law, those acts are not considered crimes.
IPOB cited Nigeria’s Terrorism Act 2022. Section 76 requires dual criminality for foreign charges. Therefore, Nigerian courts lack jurisdiction.
The group demanded that Britain condemn the rendition. IPOB also urged British lawmakers to explain the government’s inaction.
“The UK must choose between defending human rights and shielding a rogue state,” IPOB concluded.
