High Commissioner, Dr. Wilfred Machage, may be sweating as Nnamdi Kanu punctures Kenya’s denials of complocity in his abduction
Ambassador Machage not only denied Kenya’s involvement yesterday morning but also challenged anyone with facts to disprove it.
Kanu informed his lawyers in the evening that Kenya Police not only abducted but also tortured him for eight days.
Kenya authorities also handed him over to Nigeria security illegally, the lawyer said.
The claims and counter-claims have firther shrouded circumstances of Kanu’s transfer to Nigeria in mystery.
UK will further probe these circumstances in a meeting with Nigerian officials, a High Commission spokesperson, Mr. Dean Hurlock said.
Kanu is also a British citizen.
Diplomats and legal experts were left scratching their heads on what sort of arrangement guided transfer of Kanu to Nigeria.
The statements from Kenya and Kanu’s lawyer provide a sharp contrast indicating more information is needed to unravel the mystery.
Ambassador denies Kenya’s involvement
The allegations are “fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings among certain section of the Nigerian people,” Machage said.
He requested not to be bothered with follow-up questions about an issue that “bothers on Nigeria’s internal affairs.”
“If you want to get any reaction on Nigeria issues, ask your people and not me,” he said
This was what he said yesterday morning, 2 June 2021, at his press conference
“I want to address this allegation by denying that Kenya was involved in the alleged arrest in extradition to Nigeria of Mr. Kanu.
“These allegations are fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feelings among certain section of the Nigerian people.
“I want to challenge anyone with facts relating to this alleged arrest in Kenya to present those facts.
“This includes when, where, how and who was particularly involved in the alleged arrest.
“We are also disturbed, dismayed and astonished by the unfortunate statement on the alleged arrest in Kenya…”
“…Kenya is particularly appalled by the spurious, derogatory and libelous mention of name of our dear President on this matter.
“I, as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal republic of Nigeria, wish to categorically emphasize that our two countries Kenya and Nigeria have and continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with both the Federal Government of Nigeria and its great accommodating and amiable citizens.
“Kenya is committed to sustain this historical bond of friendship between our governments and the peoples of our two countries.
“We wish to further cement our diplomatic relations with a view to ensure mutually beneficial relations between our two countries.
“… I wish to categorically state that we are not happy at this ridiculous attempt of dragging the name of Kenya and … President Uhuru Kenyatta on this matter of arrest and extradition of self-claimed IPOB leader.”
Kanu’s lawyer provides abduction details
After his meeting Kanu later in the day, his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, took to Facebook to post the following statement:
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya’s Special Police Force on the 19th of June 2021 at their International Airport…
(He was) consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions.
“He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition.
(Kanu) was illegally detained for eight (8) good days in Kenya before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart.
“He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations.
“They later beckoned on their Nigerian Counterpart to take over.
“Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart.
“A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanizing treatment meted to him.
“There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him.
“His fortified legal team will address these infractions at the proper forum as we progress.”
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