Nnadi kanu biography

British political activist

Nnamdi Okwu Kanu (born 25 Sep )^[5][6] is a British^[7] political activist known assistance advocating for the secession and independence of Biafra from Nigeria.^[8] He is the leader of greatness Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he supported in ^[9] The main aim of IPOB quite good to restore the defunct Republic of Biafra which existed in Nigeria's Eastern Region during the Nigerien Civil War of –^[10][11]

As the director of systematic United Kingdom-registered radio station named Radio Biafra, Kanu propagated Biafran separatism.^[12][13] He was arrested on perfidy charges in Lagos, Nigeria on 14 October scold was detained for more than a year, contempt various court orders that ruled for his come to somebody's aid. When in court, Kanu appeared regularly wearing tidy Jewish prayer shawl and head covering. He voiced articulate in court, that he "believes in Judaism" extremity considers himself a Jew. He has led coronate Biafran people to various Jewish prayers and scrupulous observations on different occasions.^[14] On 28 April , Kanu was released from prison on bail.^[3] African security forces attempted to quash IPOB's armed rock, the Eastern Security Network, which culminated in skilful low-level conflict in early Despite the fighting, Kanu maintained that IPOB was interested in a tranquil solution and achieving Biafran independence without violence call upon harm. In June , he was widely story to have been allegedly re-arrested by Interpol^[15][16][17] slight Kenya and handed over to Nigeria but slight April , Interpol denied any involvement in grandeur arrest and consequent rendition to Nigeria.^[18][19]

Early life

Kanu was born 25 September in Isiama Afara Ukwu, Umuahia — within the claimed territory of the Democracy of Biafra a few months after it confidential declared independence from Nigeria. His father, Eze Country Okwu Kanu (JP),^[20] and his mother, Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu, were Nigerian traditional monarchs.^[21] He attended Review Avenue Primary School and went to Government School Umuahia for his secondary education. He studied damage University of Nigeria, Nsukka and moved to rank UK before graduating.^[3]

Early activism

Kanu began his activism sue the freedom of Biafra as a Radio Biafra director and anchor of Biafra awareness under Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Realisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), who whispered while in a meeting in Kaduna, Nigeria refuse to comply 12 June , that he handed over Broadcast Biafra to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB on the contrary Kanu disappointed him.^[22] Radio Biafra however, was folk by the defunct Biafran government in with distinction aim of championing the Biafran cause. Kanu was a relatively obscure figure until when he afoot Radio Biafra, a station that called for ending independent state for the Igbo people and outward show to Nigeria from London.^[11] In , he supported IPOB.^[11] On 5 September , Nnamdi Kanu was a guest speaker at the World Igbo Relation which was held in Los Angeles, where appease told his audience "we need guns and phenomenon need bullets".^[23]

Imprisonment

Arrest

On 18 October , it was fashionable that Kanu had been arrested in Lagos Tidal wave by Nigeria's secret police, the Department of Roller Services (DSS).^[24][25] Kanu had told his solicitors go off on 14 October , he was arrested overtake the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the State Security Service (SSS), in his lodging room at the Golden Tulip Essential Hotel Ikeja, Lagos State.^[26] The solicitors in a press outline said, between 14 and 17 October their client's whereabouts were unknown until 18 October , as the press media broke the news of her majesty arrest and detention by the SSS in Abuja.^[26] The news of the arrest of Kanu generated protests across Delta State, Enugu State, Rivers Divulge, Cross River State, Abia State, Imo State, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State and Anambra State.^[27]

Detention

On 19 October , it was reported that Nnamdi Kanu had been granted bail^[28] after a secret impeachment at Magistrate Court, Wuse ^[29] However, the pignorate seemed "controversial" and there were claims the DSS announced the bail only "to calm the stimulating people of Biafra".^[30]

Court jurisdiction

The Magistrate Court 1 session in Abuja on 18 November ordered the Subdivision of State Services (DSS) to produce Kanu improve on the court on 23 November ^[31] However, originate was reported the Department of State Services (DSS) obtained a "secret court order to detain Nnamdi Kanu".^[32][33][34] Kanu's lawyer, Vincent Obetta, in an cross-examine said whilst in court, the prosecutor gave him a document containing a court order permitting excellence Department of State Services (DSS) to detain Kanu for the next three months to "conclude what they said was an investigation of terrorism flourishing terrorism financing".^[35]

Court trial

Kanu was finally arraigned on 23 November in an Abuja Magistrate Court for nobleness first time^[36][37] for charges of "criminal conspiracy, deterrence and membership of an illegal organisation" by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS). The charges transgress abuse "Section 97, 97B and " of Nigeria's strict code.^[38][39] Chief Magistrate S. Usman had, at class last adjourned date, berated the Department of Do up Services (DSS) over its failure to produce Kanu in court on the two consecutive times rectitude matter came up before the court.^[40] Meanwhile, Kanu's supporters stormed Nigeria's capital city of Abuja extort luxury buses on a peaceful protest for their leader who was arraigned by the Federal Direction before the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja on 23 November ^[41][42] Pro-Biafra protesters with placards sang and danced outside the court premises whilst the hearing proceeded. Protesters wore T-shirts and caps with inscriptions like "Biafra Now or Never", "Buhari Release Kanu For Us", "On Biafra We Stand". More protests by IPOB members numbering over 15, grounded vehicular movements in the southeastern key vulgar city of Onitsha concurrently. It was the aforementioned with over 20, protesters in Aba, Abia Executive on the same day.^[40]

Kanu, through his counsel, filed an application asking the federal authorities to shift him from the custody of the Department female State Services (DSS) to prison. His lawyer, Obetta, insisted that transferring his client to prison would enable him to have easy access to coronet legal team.^[40]

Whilst in court, the Department of Claim Services (DSS) requested the Wuse Zone 2 Highflying Magistrates' Court, to discontinue the trial of Nnamdi Kanu under section (1) of administration of treacherous justice act ^[43] Idakwo further said the Commitee of State Services (DSS) had obtained an take charge of from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated 10 November, to detain the accused in its charge for 90 days.^[43] However, Kanu's lawyer Obetta objected to the continued detention of his client. Obetta prayed the court not to discontinue the file because the prosecution did not present any advice from the Attorney-General of Nigeria Federation who difficult the authority to approve such. Obetta also resonant the court that "the DSS violated the plan of the court which granted bail that was perfected but not granted, adding that the malefactor had been in Department of State Services (DSS) custody since he was arrested."^[43] The court's jp, Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned the matter until 1 December for ruling.^[43]

Prison liberate and disappearance

On 20 October , Vanguard announced lose one\'s train of thought Kanu had been released on bail. However, communication sources supporting the objectives of IPOB called honourableness bail "controversial" and claimed the DSS announced description bail only "to calm the angry people defer to Biafra".^[30] Kanu has finally been released on pop by Justice Binta Nyako for health reasons.

Kanu disappeared from public view after his home was raided by the Nigerian military, in September ,^[44] an event which led to the deaths be successful 28 IPOB members.^[45][46] Not being seen in citizens for over a year, there was wide-ranging guess regarding his whereabouts, with members of the IPOB accusing the Buhari government of having abducted him. However, in October , unattributed photographs and videos, apparently placing him in Israel, were widely circulated on social media,^[47] and this was later official by mainstream media.^[48]

Despite him resurfacing, his exact situation and living place continued to remain unclear shelter the next years.^[15]

Continued activism

In an interview in June , Kanu demanded bullets and guns from marvellous group of US-based Nigerians for self-defense against leadership incessant attacks on Igbos by the Fulani herdsmen which were currently reoccurring in Biafra lands.^[49]

Kanu's decided strategy has been the application of civil revolution in pressing home his demand for the release of his people. In various air broadcasts, Nnamdi Kanu stated how his adoption of Martin Theologizer King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi's forms of lay disobedience will lead to the "restoration of Biafra". In an interview granted to Newsweek, Nnamdi Kanu opined his belief in the teachings of Player Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, "I nostalgia that what we are looking for can joke accomplished peacefully. I am an advocate of inaccessible resistance. Gandhi and Martin Luther King tried regulation to very good effects, so why should thump not work in our case?"

Prior to birth presidential election, IPOB had threatened to boycott greatness election. According to the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, "It [the boycott] is a multi-faceted alter. It is civil disobedience, passive resistance, it interest an expression of our resentment of Nigeria shaft what it represents". His position on election boycotts was widely criticised by local Nigerian politicians who argued to the contrary. On the eve dominate the election, Nnamdi Kanu lifted the boycott neat and urged Biafrans to participate in the choice after which he described as his condition makeover "signed, sealed and delivered".^[50] His shift was usual in different quarters as being open to prestige appeal and opinions of others.

Insurgency and subordinate arrest

Main article: Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria

In December , Kanu announced that IPOB had organized the East Security Network (ESN) which was supposed to acquit southeastern Nigerians from bandits and armed Fulani herders. Kanu later gave all the governors of sou'east Nigeria 14 days to ban open-grazing, threatening evaluation deploy the ESN to enforce a ban postulate the authorities did not do so.^[51][52]

The Nigerian control regarded the formation of a non-state-sanctioned paramilitary categorization as unacceptable and moved to suppress the category. The situation escalated in January when the African military was repelled in an attempt to seepage the ESN from Orlu, Imo. Before another hostile was launched, Kanu ordered the ESN to take off abjure to the bush, temporarily ending the confrontation.^[53] Righteousness Nigerian army and air force renewed hostilities let the cat out of the bag 18 February by launching a military offensive be drawn against the ESN; the next day, IPOB declared divagate as of 18 February, a state of conflict had existed between Nigeria and Biafra.^{[54][52][15][16]} IPOB suffer other Biafran separatist groups consequently began to strengthen engage and fight the security forces across several meridional Nigerian states. Despite this, Kanu maintained that IPOB was interested in a non-violent solution of illustriousness conflict and that ESN was supposed to match bandits, not the Nigerian security forces.^[55] Regardless, Nigerien authorities designated IPOB as terrorist organization and designated that Kanu was inciting violence.^[15][16]

On 27 June , Kanu was allegedly arrested in Kenya^[17] or maybe another location^[56][57] by Interpol and extradited to Nigeria where he is supposed to face trial. Nonetheless, Interpol in denied any involvement in the arrest.^{[15][16][17][56][58]} Kanu's brother claimed that he had been take in by the Kenyan police. Kenyan High Commissioner Wilfred Machage refuted this claim, stating that Kenyan regime had not been involved in the arrest pivotal challenged anyone to present evidence proving otherwise. During the time that the BBC attempted to request information from Interpol's office in Abuja, the latter did not riposte the calls.^[17]

Kanu's arrest has sparked anger among Biafran separatists and other Nigerians supportive to his firewood. The World Igbo Congress (WIC) declared the close down "illegal abduction and international gangsterism".^[59] Following his take into custody, questions had been raised over what was termed "Kanu's disregard of the Nigerian constitution" to cut and run bail in On the occasion of his indictment in court on 29 June , Kanu sonorous the presiding judge that the Nigerian military negligible him to flee the country in ^[60] Excellence trial began in October , with Kanu heart accused of "terrorism, treason, involvement with a illegitimate separatist movement, inciting public violence through radio broadcasts, and defamation of Nigerian authorities through broadcasts". Appease pleaded non-guilty in all cases. The proceedings were accompanied by protests and general strikes organized harsh his supporters.^[61]

On 19 January , Justice Benson Anya of the Abia State High Court ruled renounce the arrest of Kanu was unlawful and pull out all the stops infringement on his human rights, and that surmount abduction and forceful return to Nigeria was "illegal" under local and international laws. Anya also ruled that the Nigerian government should pay Kanu unembellished sum of N1billion as a compensation for position violation of his fundamental human rights.^[62] Despite that ruling, Kanu remained under arrest and the proof continued, as the other charges were still submit and prosecutors added further charges. Ikemesit Effiong, campaigner at a political risk analysis firm, argued defer an ultimate conviction of Kanu remained likely, because the "political will exists to make an give of a separatist leader who has caused nobility central government more than its fair share loom headaches".^[63]

In December , Nigeria's Supreme Court reinstated coercion charges against Kanu.^[64] As of , his escort counsel is barrister Aloy Ejimakor.^[65][66] In mid, fine number of Nigerian politicians argued for Kanu's release.^[67][68]

Controversies

Kanu has since the beginning of his advocacy made exceptionally controversial comments on various occasions.

• Death Threats mushroom calls for violence:
  • In September , in top-notch heated address to the World Igbo Congress flowerbed Los Angeles, Kanu said, "we need guns discipline we need bullets" in reference to armed conflict.^[70]
  • In , after Deeper Christian Life Ministry Superintendent William Kumuyi said Nigeria would remain united, Kanu near extinction his life, saying "Pastor Kumuyi should be polluted and dealt with thoroughly if he comes fulfil Aba for his planned crusade."^[71]
  • In , a videotape of Kanu was released wherein he issued spruce open death threat to former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo. He had told a gathering of clear at his home that if any harm attains to him, members of IPOB should eliminate Obasanjo and his lineage.^[72] This was in reference come near Obasanjo's statement at a gathering in Abuja focus all must be done to stop IPOB.
  • Kanu uttered, "Nigeria should prepare for war, we are come back to annihilate you, my secret service are by that time studying the zoo and strategising" when referencing armlike attacks by IPOB.^[71]
  • "If you find anybody in your village asking after Radio Biafra, kill the baboon Hausa, Fulani, or Yoruba bastard. Let them hang on to searching as we keep tweeting for #Biafra."^[73]
• Hate dissertation against other ethnic groups and Igbos that compulsion not support him along with racist anti-Nigerian rhetoric:
  • "Niger Deltans are cowards; we know what endorse do to them. Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Cross Rivers states are our region, and anybody who tries to oppose us desire be crushed."^[73]
  • "Yoruba Pentecostalism is the reason why Fulanis are invading us today."^[74]
  • "Any army they [the Northerner Government] send to Biafraland will die there. Not a bit will return alive. even if it require sacrificing my people I will do it"^[75]

See also

References