The United Nations has expressed concern over the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and his continous detention and alleged torture while in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
This was contained in UN’s Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Special Rapporteur on minority issues and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The UN noted that it received information on allegations of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Nnamdi Kanu by Kenyan Security Officials as well as his illegal rendition to Nigeria to face trial for terrorism-related charges, which were believed to be linked to his leadership of the IPOB.
The international body which also alleged that Kanu has been denied family visits, confidential access to a lawyer and necessary medical treatment for his underlying illness, stated that these constitute a violation of fundamental human rights.
Demanding for an explanation on the initial steps taken by the Federal Government to safeguard the rights of Kanu in compliance with international instruments, the UN also requested that the detailed information on the factual and legal grounds of Kanu’s arrest and detention be provided as well as formal charges against him and the legal provisions used to charge him.
The federal government was also asked to explain how Kanu’s arrest and detention are in conformity with the international human rights obligations of Nigeria.