Ohanaeze Reacts To Alleged Maltreatment Of Nnamdi Kanu In DSS Detention

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the alleged maltreatment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, in the Department of the State Services (DSS) custody.

Ohanaeze gave the condemnation while reacting to the allegations raised by Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, that the IPOB leader is being subjected to torture and harassment in DSS detention.

Reacting to the allegations, the spokesman for Ohanaeze, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, warned the DSS against treating Kanu in an inhumane way and asked the secret police to stop such actions.

Ohanaeze maintained that Kanu’s interest would be protected just as it would protect the interest of any Igbo anywhere in the world.

The group advised the Federal Government to handle Nnamdi Kanu’s case with care in order to avoid violence and chaos.

He, however, asked the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to address the complaints made by Kanu’s lawyers.

He said, “We have to find a way to talk to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and other authorities concerned in this matter that it helps the image of Nigeria if we are in the news for good reasons.

“The issue of Nnamdi Kanu has gone beyond the shores of this country; whatever happened to him will attract international attention. So now we are viewed by the comity of nations is very important, it goes beyond Nnamdi Kanu, it affects everything to which Nigeria stands for.

“Therefore, Ohanaeze advises that Nnamdi Kanu should be handled with care and whatever is happening should fit into the global best practices; trial of Nnamdi Kanu, a condition he stays should be made open.

“People should have access to him as is supposed to be within the rule that is obtained by the people that are in the detention of that kind. But to subject him to suffering like his lawyers are talking about is objectionable.

“What his lawyers said, I will take it to the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. But my advice now is that Nigeria should not attract opprobrium onto itself.”