IPOB declares Nnamdi Kanu prisoner of conscience

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared their leader, Nnamdi Kanu a prisoner of conscience.

Kanu is being tried for treason and other offences by the Nigerian government.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Friday said Kanu has been declared prisoner of conscience because he is fighting for the self-determination of his people.

This, he said followed the extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria without proper documentation and his long incarceration and detention in DSS custody.

“We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to state categorically to the people of the world that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is now declared Prisoner Of Conscience.

“In 2015 Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested and subjected to an egregious violation of his fundamental rights. After his miraculous escape from the military invasion of his home in 2017, he was abducted in Kenya and renditioned to Nigeria in June this year.

“We, therefore, have to inform the world, most civilised countries and the African continent that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is fighting for the freedom and self-determination of his people because under the United Nations Charter, to which Nigeria is a signatory, self-determination is not a crime,” the group said.

According to IPOB, under the African Union Charter to which Nigeria is a signatory, self-determination is not a crime and that under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, particularly Article 20, CAP A9, self-determination is not a crime.

It said as a matter of fact and law, self-determination is recognised as a right, both domestically and internationally.

IPOB added thart self-determination is a political opinion, which is recognised as a fundamental right under the Nigerian Constitution.

The group stated that during the military invasion of his residence, code-named operation Python dance, Kanu was almost killed except for his miraculous escape.