Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu
Born Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Kenny Okwu Kanu
1970s
Isiama Afara, Abia State[1]
Residence London, England
Nationality Nigerian British
Ethnicity Igbo
Citizenship Nigeria and England
Alma mater University of Nigeria Nsukka[1]
Occupation Activist, Radio director, Freedom fighter.
Known for Political activism
Notable work Radio Biafra
Movement Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Religion Christianity
Spouse(s) Uchechi Okwu Kanu[2]
Partner(s) Chukwu Okike Abiama
Parent(s) Eze Israel Kanu
Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu
Relatives
  • Prince Emmanuel Kanu (brother)[3]
  • Princess Chinwe Kanu (sister)[4]
Website IPOB

Nwannekaenyi "Nnamdi" Kenny Okwu Kanu (born 1970s) is a political activist based in the United Kingdom. He is a leading member of one of several Biafran separatist organizations, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the director of London-based radio station Radio Biafra. His watchwords are truth is life, whiter than snow.

Biography

Early life

Kanu was born in Isiama Afara, Abia State, Nigeria. His father is HRM Eze Israel Okwu Kanu (JP) and his mother is Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu.[1] He attended Library Avenue Primary School (now part of Government House, Umuahia) and went to Government College for his secondary education. He later gained admission to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), where he could not finish due to incessant strikes before he left for London to complete his tertiary education.[1]

Arrest

On October 18, 2015, it was reported that Mr Kanu had been arrested in Lagos State by Nigeria’s secret police the Department of State Services (DSS).[5][6] Mr Kanu had told his solicitors that he was, on 14th October, 2015, arrested by the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the State Security Service (SSS) in his hotel room i.e. Golden Tulip Essential Hotel Ikeja, Lagos State.[7] The solicitors in a press briefing said, between 14th and 17th October, 2015 their clients whereabouts were unknown until 18th of October, 2015, when the Press Media broke the news of his arrest and detention by the SSS in Abuja.[7] The news of the arrest of Mr Kanu generated mass protests across parts of Delta State, Enugu State, Rivers State, Cross River State, Abia State, Imo State, Akwa Ibom State and Anambra State.[8]

Continued detention

On October 19, 2015, it was reported that Mr Kanu had been granted bail[9] after a secret arraignment at Magistrate Court,Wuse 11.[10] However, the bail seemed "controversial" and there were claims the DSS announced the bail only "to calm the angry people of Biafra".[11] Although the bail conditions were stringent some of which required the Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property within Abuja municipality, a level 16 officer in the Ministry, Mr Kanu's lawyer said they eventually met the requirements in full. However, “upon the issuance of the Form 36,the court ordeal went to execute the order but came back unsuccessful. He was unable to produce the prisoner.[10] The lawyer, Vincent Obetta, called the continued detention of the activist despite meeting his bail conditions "a clash between judiciary and executive" in a democratic Nigeria. According to Mr Obetta, "I have not seen or heard any place where a court grants bail and the person is not released. Under UN and Africa charter, it is enshrined that once bail is granted, you release the person upon meeting the bail conditions. We are sliding to days of Decree 2 and 4 of 1984. This is pure Dictatorship.” [12]

A Conservative minister said the British consular officials will visit Mr Kanu following enquiry from the activist's constituency MP, Harriet Harman. James Duddridge, Minister for Africa and the Caribbean confirmed that Kanu, had been visited earlier by members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office but that he did not ask for British consular assistance.[13]:

Court jurisdiction

The Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Abuja on November 18, 2015 ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce Kanu, at the court on November 23, 2015.[14] However, it was reported the Department of State Services (DSS) obtained a "secret court order to detain Nnamdi Kanu.[15][16][17] Kanu's lawyer, Mr Obetta in an interview said whilst "in court, the prosecutor gave him a document containing a court order permitting the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain Mr Kanu for the next three months to "conclude what they said was an investigation of terrorism and terrorism financing".[18]

Charges and court trial

Kanu was finally arraigned on November 23, 2015 in an Abuja Magistrate Court for the first time [19][20] for charges of "criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organisation by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS). They charges violate "Section 97, 97B and 397" of Nigeria's penal code.[21][21][22] Chief Magistrate .S. Usman had at the last adjourned date, berated the Department of State Services (DSS) over its failure to produce Kanu in court on two consecutive times the matter came up before the court.[23] Meanwhile, Kanu's supporters, stormed Nigeria's capital city of Abuja in luxury buses on a peaceful protest for their leader who was arraigned by the Federal Government before the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja on November 23, 2015.[24][25][26] Pro-Biafra protesters with placards sang and danced outside the court premises whilst hearing proceeded. Protesters wore T-shirts and caps with inscriptions like “Biafra Now or Never”, “Buhari Release Kanu For Us”, “On Biafra We Stand”. More protests by IPOB members numbering over 15,000 grounded vehicular movements the southeastern key economic city of Onitsha concurrently. It was the same by over 20,000 protesters in Aba, Abia State on the same day.[23][26]

Kanu, through his counsel filed an application asking the federal authorities to transfer him from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to prison. His lawyer, Obetta, insisted that transferring his client to prison would enable him have easy access to his legal team.[23]

Whilst in court, the Department of State Services (DSS) requested the Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, to discontinue the trial of Nnamdi Kanu under section 108(1) of administration of criminal justice act 2015.[27] Mr Idakwo further said the Department of State Services (DSS) had obtained an order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated November 10, to detain the accused in its custody for 90 days.[27] However, Kanu's lawyer, Mr Obetta objected the continued detention of his client. Obetta, prayed the court not to discontinue the case because the prosecution did not present any information from the Attorney-General of Nigeria Federation who had the authority to approve such. Obetta also told the court that "the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected but not granted, adding that the accused had been in Department of State Services (DSS) custody since he was arrested."[27] The court's magistrate, Mr Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned the matter until December 1, 2015 for ruling.[27]

Controversy

On 5 September 2015, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was a guest speaker at the World Igbo Congress which was held in Los Angeles, California where he demanded for guns and bullets as the video depicted.[28]

On 20 October 2015, Vanguard announced that Kanu had been released on bail. However, media sources supporting the objectives of IPOB called the bail "controversial" and claimed the DSS announced the bail only "to calm the angry people of Biafra".[11]

Discharge and release

On 16 December 2015, Kanu was unconditionally discharged. The government withdrew the case so as to try Kanu at a higher court, where terrorism charges may be handled.[29][30]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nnamdi’s father speaks… ‘My son ‘ll rather die than back out of Biafra struggle’". The Sun. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Nnamdi Kanu's wife speaks: 'My husband is a prisoner of conscience'". IBTimes. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "Buhari ignited Biafra agitation –Nnamdi Kanu’s brother". The Sun. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nnamdi Kanu: Detained Biafran leader 'looked like shadow of his former self' says sister". IBTimes UK. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Nigeria Protesters Demand Release of Jailed Radio Biafra Director". VOA News. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Uguru, Hilary (19 October 2015). "Nigerian intelligence arrests Biafran separatist leader". Yahoo News. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  7. 1 2 Sahara Reporters, New York (November 14, 2015). "Nnamdi Kanu's Lawyer Issues Statement On DSS And Efforts To Release Him From Detention". saharareporters.com.
  8. ↑ "Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu reportedly arrested". Vanguard News. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  9. ↑ Vanguard Nigeria (October 19, 2015). "Breaking: Radio Biafra’s Nnamdi Kanu Granted Bail". www.vanguardngr.com.
  10. 1 2 Vanguard Nigeria (October 24, 2015). "DSS refuse to produce Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu – Lawyer". www.vanguardngr.com.
  11. 1 2 Ludovica Iaccino. "Nnamdi Kanu: Ipob leader whereabouts unknown despite Nigeria security forces claiming he is on bail". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Vanguard Nigeria (November 9, 2015). "Nnamdi Kanu has met bail conditions – Obetta, his lawyer". www.vanguardngr.com.
  13. ↑ IBTimes, UK (November 24, 2015). "Nnamdi Kanu: British officials will visit detained Biafran leader in Abuja". ibtimes.co.uk.
  14. ↑ This Day Live, Nigeria (November 18, 2015). "Biafra: Court Orders DSS to Produce Nnamdi Kanu Nov.23". "thisdaylive.com".
  15. ↑ News Express on 19/11/2015 (November 19, 2015). "Biafra: DSS springs surprise, obtains secret court order to detain Nnamdi Kanu for 90 days". "newsexpressngr.com".
  16. ↑ Daily Times, Nigeria (November 9, 2015). "Pro-Biafra Protest Grounds Aba". "/dailytimes.com.ng".
  17. ↑ The Guardian, Nigeria (November 10, 2015). "Pro-Biafra Activists Continue Protests In Aba". "www.ngrguardiannews.com".
  18. ↑ Ludovica Iaccino; IBTimes UK (November 20, 2015). "Nigeria: State 'obtains court order' to detain Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu for next three months". "uk.news.yahoo.com".
  19. ↑ Vanguard, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "Breaking: Nnamdi Kanu finally appears in Court". "/vanguardngr.com".
  20. ↑ IBTimes, UK (November 23, 2015). "Nigeria: Radio Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu appears in court despite death rumours". "/ibtimes.co.uk".
  21. 1 2 Mail Online UK (November 20, 2015). "Biafra protests in Nigeria driven by poverty, neglect, injustice". dailymail.co.uk.
  22. ↑ Premium Times, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "Biafra: SSS seeks transfer of Nnamdi Kanu’s case to higher court". "/premiumtimesng.com".
  23. 1 2 3 Vanguard, Nigeria (November 24, 2015). "Biafra: Transfer me to prison custody, Kanu begs court". vanguardngr.com.
  24. ↑ Vanguard, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "Photos: Protest in Abuja, as FG arraigns Nnamdi Kanu in Court". vanguardngr.com.
  25. ↑ The Sun, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "Pro-Biafra protesters storm Abuja as SSS arraigns Kanu in court". sunnewsonline.com.
  26. 1 2 Linda Ikeji, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "Photos: Supporters of Pro-Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu storm Abuja court". lindaikejisblog.com.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Vanguard, Nigeria (November 23, 2015). "DSS asks court to discontinue Kanu’s trial". "/vanguardngr.com".
  28. ↑ http://nigeriamasterweb.com/Masterweb/masterwebnews-6915-address-director-radio-biafra-world-igbo-congress-2015-convention. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ↑ "IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu released". sunnewsonline.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  30. ↑ "Federal court grants Nnamdi Kanu unconditional release - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. http://google.com/+Premiumtimesngr. Retrieved 2015-12-17. External link in |publisher= (help)
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