Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, has lauded the United States for its condemnation of the Nigerian government’s handling of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader’s detention.
The accolade comes following the release of the “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,” where the US government criticized Nigeria for violating Kanu’s human rights during his arrest and extradition.
Ejimakor expressed appreciation for what he termed “a demonstration of diplomatic courage” by the US in acknowledging the unlawful treatment of Kanu by Nigeria’s secret police. The report stated that Kanu was subjected to “arbitrary arrest” in June 2021, further solidifying claims made by Kanu’s legal team regarding his unlawful rendition.
In a press release titled ‘Thank you, America, for officially and publicly acknowledging the unlawfulness of Nnamdi Kanu’s rendition,’ Ejimakor emphasized the significance of the US government’s stance. He stressed that this acknowledgment not only affirms their case but also urges the Nigerian government to recognize and rectify its violation of Kanu’s human rights.
The legal team hopes that this public acknowledgment from a respected foreign power like the United States will prompt the Nigerian government to acknowledge its wrongdoing and bring closure to Kanu’s prosecution. They argue that the prolonged prosecution, initiated almost a decade ago, has become questionable, especially given the changed circumstances and concerns regarding Kanu’s fair trial.
Ejimakor further urged the Nigerian government to exercise its constitutional powers and discretion to end Kanu’s prosecution, emphasizing the increasing difficulty of ensuring a fair trial given the complexities of his current detention.
