Nigerian Government has said that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would get a fair trial following his re-arrest on Sunday by joint forces of Nigerian security and Interpol.
“…I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he willfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him,” said Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday.
Mohammed said the IPOB leader was rearrested and repatriated to Nigeria to resume his trial, saying, that ” This was made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies”.
Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.
On Tuesday, Kanu was re-arraigned in court and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26-27, 2021.
The Minister said that security and intelligence were on the trail of Kanu for over two years before his eventual re-arrest on Sunday.
“It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes,” he said.
“Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested.”
According to him, the forensic investigation carried out so far has revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators.
“While the investigation continues, we assure you that none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in society, will be spared.”
“They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity. No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country.”
Speaking on how the arrest was made possible, Mohammed said the re-arrest was made “possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations. We continue to respect and honour the obligations”.