Biafran separatist group writes UN accusing Buhari of meddling in Nnamdi Kanu's trial

BIAFRAN separatist group the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) has written to the United Nations asking it to appeal to President Buhari to stop interfering in the trial of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu.

 

In October last year, Mr Kanu was arrested by security agents after visiting the country from the UK where he resides and runs his online Radio Biafra. He has since been charged with several offences including treason and his supporters in the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) have held numerous demonstrations calling for his unconditional release.

 

However, several separatists groups have accused the government of politicising Mr Kanu's incarceration, saying that the government is putting pressure on the judiciary not to grant him bail. Intersociety has asked to the federal government to either prove that Mr Kanu committed treasonable felony or withdraw the charges against him for want of evidence.

 

In an open letter to the United Nations, the group contended that President Buhari should steer clear of Mr Kanu’s ongoing court case and allow a level playing ground for the accused and his accusers to prove their cases beyond all reasonable doubt. It added that constitutionalism should be strictly followed in the case, including the need for the proceedings or proposed trial to be conducted in the open court in accordance with Section 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Copied on its letter are the secretary-general of UN, the president of the UN General Assembly, the president of the UN Security Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Intersociety also sent a copy of the letter to the US president and the heads of government of European Union countries.