The appeal by the family of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over his continued detention by the Nigerian Government, is scheduled to be heard by the United Kingdom Court of Appeal on June 22. Kanu’s family lawyer in the UK, Shirin Marker of Bindmans LLP, confirmed the date and criticized the British government for the lack of a clear and principled policy around protecting British citizens mistreated abroad.
In a statement signed by Marker and circulated by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, it was highlighted that Kanu’s case would set an important precedent on whether the British government can avoid making a decision on the violations of a British citizen’s international law rights despite overwhelming evidence. The statement emphasized the significance of the case for every British citizen traveling abroad, questioning the extent to which the UK government would protect its citizens when their rights are grossly abused.
The statement further outlined the facts of Kanu’s case, emphasizing his role as a leader of IPOB and a British citizen who has been subjected to serious human rights violations, including two years of detention in Nigeria. It highlighted the conditions of his detention, which amount to torture. The statement emphasized that as a British citizen, Kanu expected the same protection from the British state as any other citizen facing mistreatment abroad, but unfortunately, such protection has been lacking.
The Court of Appeal will hear Kanu’s family’s appeal on June 22, 2023. The outcome of the case is expected to establish an important precedent on the British government’s obligation to make a decision on the violations of a British citizen’s rights, despite the government’s previous claims of its inability to make such decisions. The statement urged anyone traveling with a British passport to be vigilant and hope that the court would uphold the principles necessary for adequate protection of British citizens abroad.
