By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The much expected diplomatic backlash following the arrest and extradition back to Nigeria of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have started.
The minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has announced on Tuesday that Kanu, a British citizen was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services.”
He did not state where the separatist leader was arrested, but it was speculated that Kanu, who is based in the UK, was arrested in an African country.
But the speculation was confirmed by Kanu’s brother, Kingsley Kanu, who disclosed on Wednesday that he was arrested by the Kenyan government and handed over to Nigeria.
But on Friday, the Kenyan government flatly denied the allegation and insisted it does not want to be dragged into Nigeria’s internal affairs.
In Kingsley’s statement made available to TheNiche, he claimed that his brother was detained while visiting Kenya and “handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then flew him to Nigeria.”
Kingsley said his brother had been “subjected to the most serious violations of international law” because of his quest for self-determination.
“Whilst visiting Kenya, Nnamdi Kanu was detained and handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then flew him to Nigeria,” he said.
“My brother has been subject to extraordinary rendition by Kenya and Nigeria. They have violated the most basic principles of the rule of law. Extraordinary rendition is one of the most serious crimes states can commit.
“Both Nigeria and Kenya must be held to account. I demand justice for my brother, Nnamdi Kanu.”
But on Friday, the diplomatically embattled Kenya government that had kept sealed lips since the story broke opened up and denied any involvement in Kanu’s arrest.
Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Wilfred Machage, who spoke in Abuja, challenged anyone with facts of Kenya’s involvement in the arrest and extradition of Kanu to come forward.
He said: ” I wish to categorically state that we are not happy at this ridiculous attempt of dragging the name of Kenya and President Uhuru Kenyatta on this matter of arrest and extradition of self-claimed IPOB leader.”
Machage said the claim was fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings among certain section of the Nigerian people.
The envoy, who said his country enjoys good diplomatic relations with Nigeria, begged that his country wants to be left out on issues that bother on Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The visibly angry ambassador who read a prepared test urged the press not to bother him with inquiries that bother on Nigeria’s internal matters.
“If you want to get any reaction on Nigeria issues, ask your people and not me,” he admonished Nigerian journalists even as he refused to take questions after his speech.
He said, “I want to address this allegation by denying that Kenya was involved in the alleged arrest in extradition to Nigeria of Mr. Kanu. To us therefore, these allegations are fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings among certain section of the Nigerian people.
“I want to challenge anyone with facts relating to this alleged arrest in Kenya to present those facts. This includes when, where, how and who was particularly involved in the alleged arrest.
“We are also disturbed, dismayed and astonished by the unfortunate statement on the alleged arrest in Kenya which was carried in the dailies. The government of Kenya is particularly appalled by the spurious, derogatory and libelous mention of the name of our dear President on this matter.
“I, as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal republic of Nigeria, wish to categorically emphasize that Kenya has and continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with both the Federal Government of Nigeria and its great accommodating and amiable citizens.
“Kenya is committed to sustain this historical bond of friendship between our two governments and the peoples of our two countries. We wish to further cement our diplomatic relations with a view to ensure mutually beneficial relations between our two countries.
“In conclusion, on the case of the alleged arrest in Kenya of Mr. Kanu, I wish to categorically state that we are not happy at this ridiculous attempt of dragging the name of Kenya and HE. President Uhuru Kenyatta on this matter of arrest and extradition of self-claimed IPOB leader.”
