Currently being detained at Kuje Prison in Abuja, Mr Kanu was arrested by security men in Lagos last October after he arrived in Nigeria from the UK where he runs a pirate radio station. He is facing six charges including trying to annexe Igala and Idoma areas in Kogi and Benue States, treason and the illegal importation of equipment.
His organisation the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) and other secessionist groups like the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) have been campaigning for his release since his arrest. They have organised several demonstrations across southeast Nigeria, calling for the unconditional release of their leader and the dropping of all the charges against him.
Over recent weeks, Mr Kanu has been produced in court where he has looked well but amid reports that of late, he has been denied food and basic necessities, his supporters are threatening mayhem. Ipob spokesman Emma Powerful, recently alleged that its detained leader was being denied access to food and toiletries and had been subjected to serious intimidation and harassment by some officials in Kuje Prison.
He alleged that the inhuman treatment Mr Kanu was subjected to was meant to demoralise him as directed by the federal government’s agents. He added that they are now convinced that he will be set free by the court at the end of the day and have subsequently resorted to denying him access to food in order to starve him to death.
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