The demand for unconditional release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, received an international boost Tuesday with the European Union throwing its weight behind the immediate release of the freedom fighter and those standing trial with him.

The European Union is equally pushing for full-scale, impartial investigation into the reported killing of pro-Biafra supporters and members just as they canvassed for an end to the use of excessive force by security agencies against Biafrans members and supporters as well as a legal action against President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Service (DSS).

In a joint letter issued by 16 members of the European Union Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, to Ms. Frederica Mogherini, the European Union High representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the parliamentarians are asking the European External Action Service to take urgent action to halt human rights abuses in Nigeria, and in particular, push for the release of Kanu and his co-accused from detention.

Part of the letter dated Tuesday, December 19, 2016, reads: “On behalf of the European Union, especially in respect to the EU-Nigeria partnership, the Nigeria EU Joint Way Forward, the developments of the 6th Nigeria-EU ministerial dialogue and the fact that Nigeria is a

recipient of EU aid, we call upon you to: “Advocate for the immediate and safe release of Nnamdi Kanu and co-defendants Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

“Challenge the actions of the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Nigerian Department of State Services in regards to the detention of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi.

“Call for an impartial investigation into the arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and killing of supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups.

“Denounce the unacceptable violence against Biafran supporters by Nigerian security forces. Do more to push the Nigerian government to safeguard human rights in Nigeria by calling for guarantees on the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens, including their right

to protest without harm, and the termination of violence towards Biafrans.”

The authors of the letter Julie Ward, Ana Gomes, Bart Staes, Beatriz Becerra, Brando Benifei and Catherine Stihler; as well as Ernest Urtasun, Eva Joly, Hilde Vautmans, Jude Kirton-Darling, Kati Piri, and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri; including Michèle Rivasi, Nessa Childers, Pascal Durand, and Philippe Lamberts, said they were writing to protest against the unlawful detention of Kanu and continued violence against IPOB supporters.

“We write with regard to the unlawful detention of ‘Nnamdi’ Kenny Okwu Kanu, a dual British-Nigerian citizen and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the continued violence towards IPOB supporters as perpetrated by the Nigerian Government,” the letter

stated.

They recalled since October last year, Kanu has been languishing in detention even as courts of competent jurisdiction have order his release.

The rest of the letter reads: “Since 14th October 2015, Kanu has been illegally imprisoned by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite being acquitted of all charges brought against him.

“The authorities accused Kanu and his two co-defendants, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, of trying to overthrow the Nigerian head of state by broadcasting secessionist propaganda on the underground media outlet Radio Biafra, which campaigns for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria. Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi deny all charges brought against them.

“On 19th October in Abuja, the Chief Magistrate, Honourable Shuaibu, discharged Kanu of all criminal charges, including the allegation of managing and belonging to an unlawful society, criminal intimidation and of criminal conspiracy. Shuaibu granted Kanu bail, of which all

the conditions were met, but the Department of State Services refused to release him.

“The charges of criminal conspiracy, engaging in unlawful society and criminal intimidation were then withdrawn on 16th December 2015, but still Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi have not been released.

“On 17th December 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered the unconditional release of Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Security Services, but this was not enacted.

“Kanu’s counsel have since appealed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to help ensure his safe release, but to no avail. A court case on 5th October 2016 was later adjourned to 8th November, which has now been amended to 9th February 2017, due to the Nigeria Department of State Services failure to bring Kanu to court.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria had previously warned the ECOWAS community court sitting in Abuja not to intervene in Kanu’s continued detention and trial.” The members of the European Union Parliament, therefore, averred that “it is clear that the fundamental human rights of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi are being grossly violated. Human Rights Watch have reported of the violation of the defendants’ rights, including their right to a fair trial.”

They also decried the reported violation of the human rights of Biafran activists. “Scores of Biafrans are in detention for attempting to hold or participate in peaceful assemblies. On several occasions, security forces have used excessive force against pro-Biafran activists who have planned or attended peaceful protest marches.

“Amnesty International has documented cases of arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and often killing of supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups in the region.

“Since August 2015, they estimate at least 150 Biafrans have been killed by Nigerian security forces. However, as no official investigations have been carried out, this figure is believed to be

much higher,” the letter added.

They lawmakers argued that “the right to peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right of freedom of expression, is protected by the Nigerian constitution,” pointing out that International human rights standards also require that law enforcement officials must, as far as possible, apply nonviolent means.” From the actions of the Nigerian authorities, the members of the European Parliament concluded that “it is clear that the Nigerian authorities are not operating with respect to the Nigerian constitution or the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

•Detained IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu.

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