The family of the re-arrested leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has demanded access to the detained son. Kalu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu who spoke in Umuahia on behalf of the family, lamented that since the IPoB leader was “bundled” back to the Country, his family hasn’t had access to him.
“Kanu was arrested in 2015 and kept in custody without trial despite public outcry. In 2017, he was arraigned and granted bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“ He was still enjoying his bail when the Federal Government came for his jugular: His father’s palace was raided and desecrated by security operatives. Many people were killed during the raid and he had to flee for his life.
“So, now that he has been re-arrested the rule of law must be applied. If government feels he has violated any law he should be taken to court. He should be given a fair hearing.
“I hope he is not tortured? I hope his right to human dignity is not being violated? How can you abduct somebody and keep him in custody without access to his family and lawyers? This is inhumanity!” he lamented.
He said the Federal Government should allow the family unfettered access to their son who he said: “is by law presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
“Why can’t we see him? The Federal Government should allow us to see him because he is our son. He should have access to his lawyers and family, he has not killed anybody nor has he asked anybody to kill. He is only fighting for the freedom of the people which is their fundamental human right.” Emmanuel added.
The family called on the British Government to show more interest in Kanu’s ordeal since he is a British citizen.
Prince Emmanuel wondered why Kanu, a British citizen was “ kidnapped and bundled to Nigeria and Britain is still keeping quiet.”
According to him, “it is still not clear to us how Nnamdi, a British citizen would be abducted and bundled to Nigeria. If at all there is any reason to arrest him, why not take him to Britain where he is a citizen?
“Britain hasn’t done enough. Britain should be able to stand firm and demand explanations for those who abducted her citizen and bundled him to Nigeria. Kenya should also explain all it knows about this crime.”
Insisting that Kanu did nothing to deserve the arrest, Prince Emmanuel urged his supporters to remain calm and watch events unfold.
He expressed confidence that his brother would eventually triumph in the end and urged Ndigbo and lovers of democracy and justice to unite behind his brother who he said “is only fighting a just cause”.
