Aloy Ejimakor, the legal representative of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), responded to the recent report by the United States regarding the Biafra agitator.
In his statement, Ejimakor called on the Nigerian government to accept responsibility for the errors in Kanu’s trial and to conclude the prosecution promptly.
The US “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria” pointed out that Kanu’s rights were violated by the Nigerian secret police during his arrest and extradition, stating that his arrest in June 2021 was arbitrary.
Reacting to the report, Ejimakor praised the US for officially recognizing the illegality of Kanu’s extradition.
According to a statement signed by Ejimakor, “The attention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team has been drawn to an official publication by the United States government, acknowledging that ‘Nigeria’s secret police had violated Kanu’s rights during his arrest and extradition’ and that Kanu was a victim of ‘arbitrary arrest’ in June 2021.”
Ejimakor expressed gratitude towards the US government for its diplomatic courage in making this acknowledgment, which he believes will put pressure on the Nigerian government to admit its violations of Kanu’s rights.
He emphasized that the US acknowledgment reinforces their argument that Kanu’s rendition was unlawful and not a lawful extradition, highlighting the significant legal differences between the two.
Ejimakor urged the Nigerian government to take responsibility and end Kanu’s prosecution without delay, citing the protracted and questionable nature of the case initiated almost a decade ago.
He also raised concerns about the possibility of Kanu not receiving a fair trial due to complications arising from his current detention location.