UN Expresses concerns over Kanu’s Alleged Illegal Arrest and Torture

The United Nations has expressed concern about the arrest of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu by the DSS and his alleged abuse while in jail.

The UN’s position was expressed in the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues; and the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

See also Nnamdi Kanu Trial; Lawyers Denied Access to Court(Video).

The body stated that it had received information about Nnamdi Kanu’s enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment by Kenyan security officials, as well as his illegal rendition to Nigeria to face terrorism-related charges, which were thought to be related to his leadership of the IPOB.

Kanu, according to the UN, has been refused family visits, confidential access to a lawyer, and critical medical treatment for his underlying illness since his rendition to Nigeria.

The mandate reads 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.”

See also “NNAMDI KANU has been Arrested”- FG

The UN further 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 regard to the disappeared and with regard to their family members, due to the anguish and uncertainty concerning the date and whereabouts of loved ones.”