Special counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, American legal luminary Bruce Fein, has written the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, demanding that the United Nations, UN, Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Commission opinion on Kanu be enforced.
The United Nations Working Group has recommended that Nigeria assure Kanu’s “immediate and unconditional release.”
The letter blamed both Nigeria and Kenya for Kanu’s kidnapping, rendition, torture, and continued captivity, and urged that he be compensated adequately.
The decision was made by the UN Working Group on April 8, but its recommendations were made public on July 20 in an unedited advance copy seen by Vanguard in Abia.
The letter states that Nigeria has six months to comply with the UN Opinion or the international body will be forced to take action.
Nigeria has yet to formally comment on the topic since the paper was made public, despite mounting pressure on the country to do so.
Fein decided to write the UK envoy to Nigeria after being irritated by Nigeria’s noncompliance and Britain’s silence because Kanu possesses British citizenship.
Fein’s letter, a copy of which was made available to Vanguard in Abia by Kanu’s second special counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor, questioned Britain’s continuous quiet over her citizen’s ordeals when there is a document she might use to force his release.
The letter questioned why Britain, which has previously vigorously defended its nationals against foreign governments’ illegality, has become complacent in Kanu’s case.
“Once upon a time, the United Kingdom vigorously defended its citizens against lawlessness by foreign governments,” it said in part.
“It fought the War of Jenkins Ear with Spain in 1739 over the amputation of a British Captain’s ear by Spanish coast guards in the West Indies.”
“Nnamdi Kanu was born in the United Kingdom. As confirmed and held by the United Nations Working Group, he has endured significantly more than Captain Jenkins at the hands of Nigeria and Kenya.
“Yet you have done nothing to achieve Mr. Kanu’s unconditional and immediate release, as required by international law.”
“You have indeed idled like Nero fiddling while Rome burnt.” You are unable to claim ignorance. You have a copy of the unequivocal Working Group Opinion in front of you.
“You are bringing shame on the United Kingdom and the cause of human rights.” Consider the incredible contrast. The US is doing everything it can to get a US basketball player released from Russia after she pled guilty to a doping violation.
“It has offered to trade Britney Griner’s freedom for the release of notorious imprisoned arms trafficker Viktor Bout.”
“Unlike Mr. Griner, Nnamdi Kanu is not guilty.” He’s never been convicted of anything. He is, in fact, a victim of several crimes committed by Nigerian and Kenyan authorities.
“Yet you and your superiors continue to torture Mr. Kanu in a Nigerian jail in flagrant violation of international law.”
“I sincerely request that you swiftly tell me of what steps you have taken or intend to take to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with the Working Group Opinion calling for Nnamdi Kanu’s immediate, unconditional release and restitution.”
“Nothing would please me more than for you to be remembered in the annals of human rights and international law.”