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The United Kingdom has asked Nigeria to explain where and how the leader of the proscribed Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who holds British citizenship, was arrested after his lawyer alleged he had been detained and mistreated in Kenya before being sent back to Nigeria.
Kanu was on the run for four years until he was brought to court in Abuja on June 29 and told he would face trial.
“We are seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu,” a junior minister at Britain’s Foreign Office, Tariq Ahmad, said.
Nigerian authorities have refused to say where Kanu was arrested, while Kenya’s ambassador to Nigeria has denied that his country was involved.
Responding to a question about Kanu’s case from a lawmaker, Ahmad said Britain had requested consular access to Kanu and stood ready to provide consular assistance.
Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, alleged that he was abducted by Kenya’s special police force and held for eight days before being turned over to Nigerian authorities.
Kanu faces 11 charges including treason, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms. His case is due to resume in court in Abuja next week.
(Reuters)