The Government of the United Kingdom has purportedly written to the Federal Government of Nigeria inquiring the whereabouts of one of its citizens, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra who was last seen on September 14 after clashes occurred between his group and soldiers on an Army exercise in Abia state.
Mr Nnamdi Kanu, a British born Nigerian who is standing trial for alleged treason, was granted bail in April on health grounds, with 12 main conditions most of which the government has accused him of flouting.
Nnamdi Kanu’s family members and lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, have accused the Nigerian Army of taking him into custody after running rampage in his home.
The Press Officer, UK high Commission in Nigeria, Joe Abuka, has said that an inquiry was necessary to ascertain if Kanu who has a British passport was dead or Alive.
“We are seeking urgent clarification from the Nigerian authorities about the status and whereabouts of Mr. Kanu, a British-Nigerian man, who has been reported missing since September 14th,” Abuku said.
Responding to a question on whether the UK government would strip Kanu of his citizenship since the Nigerian government has accused him of leading a terrorist organization, Abuku said it does not comment on individual cases and that under the UK laws, IPOB is not recognized as a terrorist group.
“One of the conditions that can make the United Kingdom strip its citizen of nationality is if the person engages in a terrorist activity home or abroad. And Kanu has dual citizenship and therefore a citizen of Nigeria and the UK. The Indigenous People of Biafra is not a proscribed organization in the UK,” he said.
Acting Chief Judge of the high court, Justice Abdul Kafafati outlawed IPOB on the strength of an ex-parte motion that was filed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, filed on behalf of the government.