By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately release Nnamndi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a sign of respect to the International Community.
The group urged Buhari “to respect the highly regarded human rights body within the United Nations Secretariat that has reached a determination that the abduction from Kenya of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra was unconstitutional and amounted to the infliction of physical, psychological and emotional torture.”
HURIWA noted that “the United Nations body has consequently directed that Nnamdi Kanu who is being detained under inhumane and treacherously barbaric environment be freed without further breach of his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.”
The leading civil rights advocacy group was reacting to reports that the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has indicted both Nigeria and Kenya governments for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture and continued detention of Kanu without due process.
HURIWA welcomed the UN report that asked the Nigerian Government to, “immediate release Kanu unconditionally” and pay him adequate compensations for the arbitrary violation of his fundamental human rights.
The UN equally recommended that Government officials responsible for the torture meted to the IPOB Leader be investigated and punished.
HURIWA in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Saturday asked Buhari “to order the immediate unconditional release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu who has been detained for a year following his illegal kidnapping by both Nigerian security forces and the security forces of Kenya in Nairobi.”