Release Nnamdi Kanu immediately, unconditionally – Ogbako Ndigbo UK tells Federal Government

Ogbako Ndigbo UK, the apex Igbo organisation in the United Kingdom (UK), has called for the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK), stressing that doing so would demonstrate government’s “genuine interest at uniting the nation and ensuring that peace and justice reigns for all.”

The group, in a communique it issued after its recent general meeting at Oxford, UK, said it was joining other Civil Rights groups, Human Rights organisations, governments, especially the UK government and other affiliated local/international organisations to appeal to the  Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mazi Kanu “from the detention he has been placed on following his illegal rendition from Kenya.”

Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK, in the communique signed by its leaders, including Dr Jude Chijioke Eze, President, Dr Daisy Nwaozuzu, Vice President and Barrister Kenneth Udeoka, Secretary General, stressed that the continued incarceration of Mazi Kanu “despite his acquittal by the Appellate Court of Nigeria is an aberration” and contrary to his right to liberty as enshrined in the Constitution of the country.

They noted that the repeated delays in the disposal of the matter at the Supreme Court makes the process to appear “as a deliberate delay tactic to keep MNK in jail perpetually.”

The group further quoted Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria is signatory to as stating that: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.”

They noted that “Nigeria is thus expected to act within the international conventions which it has committed to and release Mazi Kalu whose human rights are being infringed upon by his illegal rendition and detention.”

The communique also pointed out that “other political prisoners who champion the cause of their people peacefully like Mazi Kanu, have long been released by the Federal Government. In the same vein, it would be just to release Mazi Kanu as this will bring the long-awaited peace not only in Igboland which feel disenfranchised by his unlawful detention, but in Nigeria at large. This will be a true demonstration of the government’s promise of promoting equity and fairness for all.”

OGBAKO NDI IGBO UK
IDI NA OTU BU IKE
CRAWFORD HOUSE UPPER WARWICK STREET, LIVERPOOL L8 8DN

Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK, Executive Officers:
Dr. Jude Eze – President, Dr. Daisy Nwaozuzu– Vice President, Barrister Kenneth Udeoka – Secretary General, Mr. Ifeanyi Madu – Asst.
Secretary General, Mr. Mathew Nkemdirim – Financial Secretary, Mr. Oscar Edmond – Treasurer, Mrs. Blessing Obi-Allison – PRO, Mrs. Victoria Njoku – Nwankwo – Provost, Prince Lotanna Chima – Welfare & Social Officer.

AGM Communique: Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK – Call for unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
(MNK).
Ogbako Ndigbo UK, an apex Igbo organisation in the United Kingdom, had a general meeting at Oxford, UK and once again called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) unconditionally from the detention he has been placed on following his illegal rendition from Kenya.

The continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu despite his acquittal by the Appellate court of Nigeria is an aberration to the liberty of a citizen as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The repeated delays and re-arrangements by the Supreme court which quickly disposed of other cases brought before it recently, makes this process appear as a deliberate delay tactic to keep MNK in jail perpetually.

Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria is signatory to states that: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.”
Nigeria is thus expected to act within the international conventions which it has committed to and release Mazi Kalu whose human rights are being infringed upon by his illegal rendition and detention.

It would be recalled that other political prisoners who champion the cause of their people peacefully like Mazi Kanu, have long been released by the Federal Government. In the same vein, it would be just to release Mazi Kanu as this will bring the long-awaited peace not only in Igboland which feel disenfranchised by his unlawful detention, but in Nigeria at large. This will be a true demonstration of the government’s promise of promoting equity and fairness for all.

Ogbako Ndigbo therefore joins other Civil Rights groups, Human rights organisations, Governments especially the UK and other affiliated local/international organisations to appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the immediate and unconditional release of
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and all other political prisoners in the country . We believe that by doing so, the government will demonstrate their genuine interest at uniting the nation and ensuring that peace and justice reigns for all.

We remain yours humbly, in the service of service of:
OGBAKO NDI IGBO UK
IDI NA OTU BU IKE
CRAWFORD HOUSE UPPER WARWICK STREET, LIVERPOOL L8 8DN
Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK, Executive Officers:
Dr. Jude Eze – President, Dr. Daisy Nwaozuzu– Vice President, Barrister Kenneth Udeoka – Secretary General, Mr Ifeanyi Madu – Asst.
Secretary General, Mr. Mathew Nkemdirim – Financial Secretary, Mr. Oscar Edmond – Treasurer, Mrs. Blessing Obi-Allison – PRO, Mrs.
Victoria Njoku – Nwankwo – Provost, Prince Lotanna Chima – Welfare & Social Officer.
Comrade Christian Chukwu Mazi Dozie Eluwa
Chairman Igbo Community Liverpool Chairman, Oxford Igbo Union
Kenneth Udeoka Esq. Mazi Ken Uwakwe Odo
Chairman, Igbo Community London Chairman Ndi Igbo North-East England Newcastle

Mazi Robert Ibe Uchenna Odunukwe Esq.
Chairman Ndi Igbo Leicestershire Chairman Igbo Union, Milton Keynes
Barrister. Philip Enwegbara Mazi Charles Ukandu
Chairman, Ndi Igbo Dundee Chairman, Igbo Union Yorkshire England
Christian Ogara Prince Lotanna Chima
Ndi Igbo Community, Swindon Igbo Community Essex

Dr Addy Lazz-Onyenobi Mr Ifeanyi Okoro
Chairman, Manchester Chairman, Igboamaka Edinburgh

Barrister Kenneth Udeoka Dr Daisy Nwaozuzu
Secretary General Vice President
Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK
Dr Jude Chijioke Eze
President Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK