United Kingdom (UK) has called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to follow due process in the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Recall that Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had claimed that there would be no trial until the issue of Kanu’s ‘illegal abduction’ was resolved.
“In my opinion, before any court can subject Kanu to trial, it has to first conduct a trial within trial on the grievous incident that forced him to leave Nigeria and the equally grievous incident that forced him back to Nigeria. No court of law with conscience and equity will overlook those two incidents and proceed to trial,” he had said in a statement on Thursday.
Also, Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, had said the IPOB leader’s family will not attend his trial until certain questions relating to his capture and extradtion is answered by the Nigerian government.
Speaking to The Sun on Saturday, the Head of Communications, British High Commission, Abuja, Dean Hurlock, said the UK takes very seriously allegations of human rights violations against British nationals.
Hurlock further said it was very important that any trial or legal proceedings regarding Nnamdi Kanu followed due process.
He said: “The UK Government is aware of the ongoing detention of Mr Kanu.
“The UK has requested consular access to Mr Kanu from the Nigerian government, and we stand ready to provide consular assistance.
“As a British national, our current priority is Mr Kanu’s health, welfare and fair treatment.
“Our consular staff will always endeavour to give appropriate and tailored support to British nationals overseas, and to their families in the UK.
“The British High Commission in Nigeria stands ready to provide such assistance to Mr Kanu and his family in the UK.
“The UK takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously and raises concerns with local authorities where appropriate.”
