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IPOB Knocks UK Govt Over Silence On Continued Detention Of Nnamdi Kanu

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The pro-Biafra group described Mazi Kanu’s rendition as flagrant breach of Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticized the United Kingdom for allegedly being complicit in the unlawful rendition and continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB in a statement by its Spokesman / Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful titled, “United Kingdoms complicity in Nigeria’s illegal rendition and detention of British citizen Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: A judicial and moral indictment” decried the continued silence and what it called apparent complicity of United Kingdom government in the face of violation of Kanu’s right.

The pro-Biafra group which described Mazi Kanu’s rendition as flagrant breach of Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act, Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and
Articles 9 and 14 of the ICCPR, to which both Nigeria and the UK are state parties.

IPOB’s statement read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) decries the continued silence and apparent complicity of the United Kingdom Government in the face of Nigeria’s gross and well-documented violations of international law, domestic law, and judicial precedent against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a British citizen and freedom advocate.”

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was abducted in Kenya in June 2021 in a state-sponsored criminal act of extraordinary rendition and forcibly returned to Nigeria without any extradition proceedings, a flagrant breach of Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act, Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Articles 9 and 14 of the ICCPR, to which both Nigeria and the UK are state parties.

“What makes the UK’s silence especially appalling is that this is not an abstract diplomatic disagreement, but a matter in which the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (Opinion No. 25/2022) unequivocally declared Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention illegal, and ordered his immediate release and compensation.

“The Kenyan High Court ruled that his abduction on Kenyan soil was unconstitutional, and awarded damages for Kenya’s complicity. The Nigerian Court of Appeal (October 2022) held that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s extraordinary rendition constituted a fundamental violation of Nigerian law, effectively nullifying the proceedings against him.

“The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia (2022) awarded Mazi Kanu, ₦500 million in damages for the same violations. Three judicial forums in Nigeria, Kenya, and at the UN level have all concluded that Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights were trampled upon.

“It is alarming that after all these the UK Government, under the pretence of consular ambiguity and “dual nationality,” has refused to act or even issue a formal condemnation. This is in stark contradiction to its own principled reaction in the Dikko Affair (1984), where it, condemned Nigeria’s attempted rendition of Umaru Dikko from the UK in the strongest diplomatic terms.

“Severed diplomatic ties, threatened legal action for violations of international law and British sovereignty. In Dikko v. The State [1987] 2 NWLR (Pt. 56) 539, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, per Karibi-Whyte, JSC, made a judicial pronouncement that remains timeless.

“The trial of an accused person who has been brought before the court in violation of international law and without compliance with extradition procedures is a nullity. Jurisdiction cannot be conferred upon the court by illegality.

“It is deeply ironic, if not disgraceful, that while Nigeria is abandoning its own Supreme Court precedent, the UK has chosen silence, thus betraying the very principles it once stood for.

“To add further salt to injury, the alleged offences for which Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is being persecuted, primarily, political broadcasts were not committed in Nigeria. The applicable Nigerian law, Section 76 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, provides that Nigerian courts can only assume jurisdiction where the alleged act is also a crime in the place it was committed, the well-established principle of double criminality.

“There is no evidence nor allegation that the UK, where the broadcasts were allegedly made, has found them criminal under UK law. Therefore, by Nigerian law, no court in Nigeria has jurisdiction from the onset to put Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on trial.”

IPOB, therefore, demands, “In view of the above, we call on the United Kingdom Government to publicly condemn the extraordinary rendition and continuing detention of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

“We also urge the United Kingdom to invoke diplomatic and legal mechanisms to demand Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release, just as they should clarify its position to the British Parliament and public on how it justifies inaction where a British citizen is illegally abducted, tortured, and indefinitely detained in breach of international law.

“British silence in this case is not neutrality, it is complicity. The UK must choose between its stated commitment to human rights and the rule of law, and its political convenience in shielding a illegality of the state. It cannot do both. History will not forget where Britain stood in this defining moment”

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Two die as mining pit collapses in Ebonyi

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The Ebonyi State Government has said it has commenced investigation into the collapse of a mining pit in Ihietutu village, Ishiagu community, in the Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chidi Onyia, stated this at the site during a fact finding mission with federal mining officers and security agencies, on Friday.

Two persons lost their lives, while three other sustained varying degree of injuries when a section of the mining pit caved in, penultimate Friday.

The incident had been blamed on negligence on the part of pit operator, Greenfield Metals Ltd. But according to the commissioner, preliminary investigation suggested it was a case of natural occurrence.

He said, “Mining, like many industries worldwide, comes with hazards. From our preliminary findings, this was a natural occurrence and not a result of negligence.

“Investigation is ongoing by all regulatory bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, police, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure transparency.

“If we find recklessness, we will act accordingly. But if it is a natural disaster, we must accept it as such.”

He therefore commiserated with the bereaved families, adding the site was not leased out to illegal miners as being alleged.

The commissioner urged the public not to worsen the grief of families with false claims and reiterated the state did not encourage illegal mining.

“Here, we fully respect licenses issued by the Federal Government,” he said.

A community leader, who doubles as the Ihetutu Development Union Board of Trustees Chairman, Prince Fabian Chukwu,said the company had empowered a lot of people in the community.

“They built the road to this site and never delayed in giving the community its due entitlements.

“That is why we stand by them in this unfortunate incident,” he added.

The company had since suspended operations at the site pending the outcome of investigations.

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Man kills self in Imo over hardship, family neglect

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Tragedy struck Amakpu Okuku community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday morning when a man in his 50s, identified simply as Odomma, was found dead after allegedly taking his own life.

Residents said the father of four, who sold water in jerry cans and buckets, had long struggled with financial difficulties that left him unable to fend for himself and his family.

His body was discovered hanging in an uncompleted building near his residence as people headed out for their daily activities.

According to villagers, Odomma had threatened to commit suicide about three months ago, complaining that his wife and children had allegedly stopped giving him food because he could no longer provide for the family.

A community member, who simply identified as Ikenna, told our correspondent that the deceased had shared his frustrations with a few friends.

“He said if the situation continued, he would take his life to end the misery.

“We advised him to report the matter to the village head for settlement. Sadly, he chose this path. Just see how this man ended his life because of money. He could have sold his GP tank or generator to get food, but he decided to take his life. Now others will gather to eat and he won’t be part of it,” Ikenna said.

Eyewitnesses said tens of residents rushed to the scene after hearing the news, crowding the uncompleted building to catch a glimpse of the lifeless body and filming with their phones.

Odomma, who was widely patronised in the community for water sales priced from ₦100 upwards, was described as hardworking but visibly depressed in recent months.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State, Henry Okoye, said he would verify the incident with the Divisional Police Officer of Owerri West.

“Please give me some minutes to call and confirm from the DPO of Owerri West Local Government Area. I will get back to you shortly,” he said. However, subsequent attempts to reach him were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.

More details to follow

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Japan designates city as hometown for Nigerians

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The government of Japan on Thursday named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The statement noted that under the new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development, the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.

“Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan.

“Japan International Cooperation Agency, in a ceremony, also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.

“Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations,” the statement stated.

On her part, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Adeseke, also the Acting Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese government naming Kisarazu the hometown of Nigerians.

The four cities will foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that will add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African nations.

“Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts.

“Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games,” it added.

In his opening address at the TICAD9, where he announced $5.5 billion in New investment in Africa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa’s development. The Prime Minister outlined Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

Prime Minister Ishiba acknowledged the challenges of Japan’s ageing population but emphasised that locally rooted solutions are essential for Africa’s development.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa”.

He appealed to African countries to assist Japan as it grapples with the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.

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