An Abuja-based lawyer, Christopher Chidera, has accused the Kenyan government of complicity in the alleged abduction and rendition of Biafra separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Nigerian government in 2021.
In a statement issued on Monday, Chidera, a human rights activist, claimed that Kenya failed in its duty to protect Kanu, who was reportedly abducted and subjected to inhumane treatment before being forcibly transferred to Nigeria. He argued that Kenya’s actions—or inactions—violated its own constitution, the Extradition Act, and international legal frameworks, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Mutual Assistance Within the Commonwealth Act, and the London Scheme on Extradition within the Commonwealth.
The lawyer’s statement, titled “How the Government of Kenya Failed in Its Duty to Protect Nnamdi Kanu,” alleged that the incident not only infringed upon Kanu’s rights but also tarnished Kenya’s reputation as a nation committed to the rule of law.
According to Chidera, Kanu, a British-Nigerian citizen, legally entered Kenya using his UK passport but was abducted on June 19, 2021, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi while waiting for a friend. He was reportedly seized by armed individuals believed to be Kenyan and Nigerian security operatives, without a warrant or judicial order.
The lawyer detailed Kanu’s alleged ordeal, stating that he was detained for eight days in a secret location near the airport, where he endured torture, beatings, and inhumane treatment. He was reportedly denied access to sanitation, medical care, and legal representation.
Chidera emphasized that such actions contravene Article 29 of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which prohibits arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment. He further argued that Kenya’s Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act of 1968 requires legal extradition proceedings, none of which were followed in Kanu’s case.
On June 27, 2021, Kanu was allegedly handed over to Nigerian authorities and flown to Abuja on a private jet without passing through proper immigration or extradition channels. Chidera noted that this act violates Section 6(3) of Kenya’s Extradition Act, which mandates due process, judicial oversight, and adherence to the Doctrine of Specialty—which restricts prosecution to only the offenses specified in an extradition request.
The lawyer also pointed out that the London Scheme for Extradition within the Commonwealth requires formal extradition requests, judicial hearings, and respect for the political offense exception, which could have shielded Kanu from extradition given his advocacy for Biafran independence.
Despite the Kenyan government’s repeated denials of involvement, Chidera maintained that Kanu’s presence in Kenya was well-documented, citing passport stamps and other evidence. He argued that Kenya’s actions violate Articles 7 and 9 of the ICCPR, which prohibit torture and arbitrary detention, as well as Article 13, which protects individuals from unlawful expulsion.
Furthermore, he noted that Kenya, as a signatory to the 1984 Convention Against Torture, was obligated not to transfer individuals to countries where they might face persecution. Given Kanu’s previous detention in Nigeria from 2015 to 2017, Chidera argued that Kenya should have been aware of the risks he faced upon his return.
The lawyer condemned Kenya’s alleged role in the incident, describing it as a deliberate circumvention of legal and human rights frameworks. He called for accountability, urging Kenya to uphold its commitments under international law and restore its credibility within the Commonwealth and the global community.
While Kenya maintains its stance of non-involvement, the controversy surrounding Kanu’s rendition continues to raise serious legal and diplomatic concerns.
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