Obey UN Order To Release Kanu Or Face Consequences – Ejimakor Warns Nigerian Govt

The special counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor has warned the Nigerian government about the consequences of disobeying a United Nations (UN) order for his client’s release.

The lawyer in a statement made available to Naija News on Thursday said Nigeria is bound to obey the UN order for the IPOB leader to be released.

He argued that if the Nigerian government fails to obey within six months as stipulated by the UN, a diplomatic row can be triggered which will definitely be against the country.

It will be recalled that the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention about a week ago, ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The UN indicted Nigeria and Kenya Governments for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture, and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu without due process.

The UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also asked the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to pay him adequate compensation for the arbitrary violation of his fundamental human rights.

Why Nigeria Must Obey

The statement by Ejimakor argued that “The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is a quasi-judicial body that has a subsisting legal mandate of the United Nations to consider and adjudicate human rights petitions against member nations of the UN.

“Its rulings or decisions (diplomatically called Opinions), such as was recently issued in favor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, are legally binding on Nigeria on myriad grounds, including the fact that the decision is based on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, both of which Nigeria ratified several decades ago.

“Ratification is a means by which a nation makes itself subject to international laws and treaties. And by the provisions of Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution and a plethora of decisions by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, ratification makes Nigeria subject to whatever it ratified.

“It needs to be made clear that the UN Working Group is an integral arm of the United Nations Human Rights Council which has the broader UN mandate to determine human rights issues emanating from member nations of the UN.

“It goes without saying therefore that, as a member of the United Nations, Nigeria is subject to decisions issuing from these UN bodies.

“It will be recalled that the UN body recently considered Nnamdi Kanu’s matter and held that “The removal of Mr. Kanu from Kenya amounted to extraordinary rendition”.

“In clarification, the body further held that “Mr. Kanu’s arrest and transfer to Nigeria lacked a legal basis and due process of law, in violation of article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 9 of the Covenant”.

“In its conclusions, the UN body held that “The appropriate remedy would be for the Government of Nigeria to release Mr. Kanu immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation in accordance with international law”.

“Without more, Nigeria is duty-bound to implement this decision in its letters and spirit. And it is expected to do so promptly and to, within six months, file a formal report of its implementation with the United Nations.

“Unarguably, failing to implement this decision would mean that Nigeria is thumping its nose at the United Nations and potentially triggering a nasty diplomatic conflict that could make it a pariah State.”