The United Nations through the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has asked the Nigerian Government to immediately release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, unconditionally and pay him adequate compensations for the arbitrary infringement of his fundamental human rights.
Also, the UN organ indicted both Nigeria and Kenya governments for his arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture and continued detention without due process.
The UN body further recommended that government officials responsible for the torture meted to Kanu be investigated and punished, while directing the Federal Government to report back within six months of the transmission of its opinions on the matter, and steps taken to comply with all the recommendations thereof.
This is as the rights group further threatened to take additional action to ensure the recommendations are complied with, stressing that both Nigeria and Kenya are signatories to the Convention and should act in accordance with the terms.
The UN organ referred the case of Kanu’s torture to Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for further consideration.
This directive was contained in a 16-page report dated July 20, 2022, which was adopted on April 4, by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its 93rd session.
The unedited version of the document sighted by Sunday Sun was marked: “Opinion No. 25/2022 concerning Mr Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu (Nigeria and Kenya).”
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established in resolution 1991/42 of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group, on December 30, 2021, transmitted to the Nigeria and Kenya governments, a communication concerning Mr. Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu-Kanu.
According to the report, Nigeria replied to the communication on January 25, 2022 while the Government of Kenya did not reply.
Both countries are parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
