The family of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) pro-separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has lost a legal challenge against the British government in a London court regarding his detention in Nigeria.
Kanu's brother, Kingsley Kanu, had brought a judicial review against Britain's Foreign Office over its alleged refusal to acknowledge that Nnamdi Kanu, who holds Nigerian and British citizenship, was the victim of extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.
The lawyers who represented Kingsley argued that the Foreign Office should reach a judgment about whether Kanu was the victim of extraordinary rendition so it could properly assess how to assist the family.
Reuters reported that Judge Jonathan Swift dismissed the case on Thursday, saying the Foreign Office's decision not to express a firm view about Nnamdi Kanu's treatment, either privately or publicly, was a matter for the government.
However, the judge added that the British government's approach will also now be informed by a ruling from Nigeria's Court of Appeal on October 13 that found that Nnamdi Kanu had been unlawfully abducted and sent to Nigeria. The appeals court also dropped seven charges against Nnamdi Kanu, who remained in custody pending an appeal against the Nigerian government's decision.
Kanu established the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to promote segregation in the southeastern part of the country.
At the end of June 2021, Kanu was extradited to Nigeria to stand trial after being arrested in Kenya.
He faces near-treason charges brought against him in the Federal High Court in Abuja in response to his IPOB's long-running campaign for an independent Republic of Biafra, which seeks a referendum.
In April 2017, he was released on bail on health grounds, but he withdrew his bail after violating some of the conditions the court had imposed on him. Currently, the IPOB leader is also suffering from heart health issues, among others.
His lawyer had requested that he be allowed to receive personal medical assistance, but authorities continued to deny his request while he was detained by his DSS in Abuja. rice field.