Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), lost his legal action against the United Kingdom (UK) government concerning his detention in Nigeria.
The British citizen filed a lawsuit, seeking the UK government’s intervention in his case with the Nigerian government.
Despite sending multiple letters to the UK government, Kanu’s efforts to secure their support proved unsuccessful.
Kanu’s Legal Battle Against the UK Government:
Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in and out of detention in Nigeria since 2015 due to his separatist campaigns for an independent Biafra nation, sought the UK government’s assistance by urging the British High Commission to visit him while in custody.
However, the Nigerian authorities did not respond promptly to the request.
Kanu’s Confrontational Approach:
As the UK government’s responses did not meet Kanu’s expectations, his legal team adopted a more confrontational tone in their correspondences.
They demanded stronger actions and criticized the UK Foreign Secretary for not reaching a firm view on Kanu’s situation, citing violations of international law.
UK Government’s Behind-the-Scenes Engagements:
The UK government engaged Nigerian and Kenyan officials through diplomatic channels, raising concerns about Kanu’s detention, health, and welfare.
They also sought explanations regarding his transfer from Kenya to Nigeria.
Despite these efforts, no significant progress was made, and Nigerian officials remained uncooperative.
Court of Appeal’s Verdict:
The UK Court of Appeal dismissed Kanu’s appeal, stating that the Foreign Secretary could not take drastic actions while the Nigerian government’s case against Kanu was pending at the Supreme Court.
The court also held that the Foreign Secretary’s refusal to make public statements condemning Kanu’s detention did not breach any procedural requirements.
Kanu’s Legal Victories in Nigeria:
In Nigeria, various courts ruled in favor of Kanu, condemning the manner of his capture in Kenya and his subsequent detention.
The courts awarded him compensation and called for his release, echoing concerns raised by international bodies like the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD).
Conclusion:
Despite his legal victories in Nigeria and international support, Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention due to the Nigerian government’s appeal process.
His legal battle against the UK government, aimed at obtaining stronger support, ultimately ended in defeat.
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