…Says he’s gravely ill, shouldn’t be allowed to die in detention
The family of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written an open letter to South East Governors, seeking their immediate action and intervention to secure his release.
This is coming barely one month after the family had accused Igbo political elite of abandoning the IPOB Leader to his fate.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu who wrote the letter on behalf of the family, raised the alarm that his brother “is gravely ill”, and should not be allowed to die in custody.
He said that history would not be kind to the Governors if they keep quiet and do nothing to secure Kanu’s release who has been unlawfully incarcerated since June 2021.
Prince Emmanuel said his brother’s arrest and continued detention were politically motivated and aimed at suppressing his voice as a freedom fighter.
He insisted that his brother committed no crime by seeking justice for the marginalisation Igbo tribe and other Biafrans.
According to him, Kanu’s continued detention is because the South East Governors have not come together as a people to sincerely demand his release.
He noted that if the Governors fail to act swiftly and allow his brother to die in detention following his deteriorating health, they shall be held accountable for their docility.
“By allowing this flagrant violation of human rights to persist, your offices are complicit in the suppression of justice. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is gravely ill and dying slowly .Biafra land will hold you all accountable should anything happen to him”.
Prince Emmanuel pleaded with the Governors to set aside their political differences, and unite as one people and engage the Federal Government for the release of his brother who he lamented, “is critically ill”.
He wondered why the Federal Government had continued to release terrorists under the guise that they had repented but failed to release his brother whose crime was challenging the injustice against Biafrans.
Prince Emmanuel alleged there was a plot to kill allow Kanu die in custody and permanently silence him.
Below is a full text of the open letter made available to Vanguard: “Subject: Unlawful Detention of Mazi Nnamdi kanu Prisoner of Conscience.
Open letter to the governors
“I am writing this letter with utmost urgency and deep concern regarding the unlawful and unjust detention of my brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In recent events, it has become abundantly clear that my brother, a law-abiding citizen and a prisoner of conscience, has been wrongfully held against his will and his fundamental human rights have been violated under your watch . As a concerned family member, I implore you to rectify this grave injustice without delay.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a man of impeccable character and a strong advocate for justice, freedom, and equality. He has consistently stood up for the righteous causes in our society, challenging the status quo and working tirelessly to bring about positive change. It is truly disheartening to witness his unwavering commitment to safeguarding human rights being met with such callousness and disregard for basic principles of justice.
“The details surrounding my brother’s arrest and subsequent detention are deeply troubling and indicative of a systemic failure within our justice system. The charges brought against him are baseless and appear to be nothing more than an attempt to silence his voice and undermine his campaign for social justice. It is clear that his detention is politically motivated, solely aimed at suppressing his activism and preventing him from continuing his valuable contribution to our society.
“As a concerned family member, I strongly condemn the unlawful detention of my brother and the blatant violation of his rights. It is your duty as the Governor to ensure the protection of every individual’s civil liberties, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations. Your obligation to uphold the principles of justice and fairness should guide your actions in every decision made.
“I demand that you take immediate and decisive action to secure the release of my brother. I call for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention, holding accountable those responsible for these egregious violations. Furthermore, I urge you to ensure that all charges against him are dropped, as they lack any substantiated evidence.
“By allowing this flagrant violation of human rights to persist, your offices are complicit in the suppression of justice. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is gravely ill and dying slowly .Biafra land will hold you all accountable should anything happen to him”.