The United Nations has warned the Federal Government against violating the fundamental Human rights of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
The UN, in the Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments made available to newsmen on Tuesday, expressed concern over alleged torture and other forms of ill-treatment against the secessionist who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
The UN stated in the document 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 expatriation to Nigeria to face trial for terrorism-related charges.
It added that since his rendition to Nigeria, Kanu had been denied family visits, confidential access to a lawyer and necessary medical treatment for his underlying illness.
The mandate read in part, “While we do not prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, we would like to express our concern in relation to the enforced disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu from June 19, 2021, until his reappearance at Nigerian Federal High Court in Abuja on June 29, 2021, and his reported illegal rendition from Nairobi to Abuja without judicial process.”
The UN described the alleged torture and ill-treatment of Kanu as alarming, saying they constitute a violation of fundamental human rights.
It said, “We are further alarmed by the alleged torture and ill-treatment Mr Kanu has been subjected to during his detention by the DSS in Nigeria. If confirmed, these allegations would constitute prima facie violations of fundamental human rights, including the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of liberty and the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment under the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights.
“The Committee against Torture and the UN Human Rights Committee has repeatedly concluded that enforced disappearances may amount to torture and other forms of ill-treatment both with regards to the disappeared and with regards to their family members, due to the anguish and uncertainty concerning the date and whereabouts of loved ones.”
The UN further demanded an explanation of the initial steps taken by the Federal Government to safeguard the rights of Kanu in compliance with international instruments.
“As it is our responsibility under the mandates provided to us by the Human Rights Council to seek to clarify all cases brought to our attention, we would be grateful for your observations on the following matters: any additional information and any comment you may have on the above-mentioned allegations.
“Please provide detailed information on the current state of health of Mr Kanu and the measures undertaken, or foreseen, to prevent any irreparable damage to his life and personal integrity and to ensure that he has access to the medications and medical treatment required by his health conditions.
“Please provide detailed information on the circumstances in which Mr Kanu was arrested, forcibly disappeared before being handed over to Nigerian authorities and transferred from Nairobi to Abuja. Also provide any international arrest warrant that may have been issued against him, prior to his arrest.”
