On Monday, August 15, 2022, the Coalition of Northern Groups warned the United Nations against interfering in Nigerian affairs due to the ongoing trial of the imprisoned Indigenous People of Biafra leader.
After a two-day retreat conducted at the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, the group issued the warning in a press release signed by CNG Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman.
This development comes three days after the Indigenous People of Biafra leader’s attorneys renewed their effort to have him released from security custody due to an alleged threat to his life.
Kanu’s attorneys claimed in a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that he was being held in a tiny, appalling cell where he was subjected to psychological and mental torture without access to other prisoners or any of the guards who were on duty.
The lawyer for the IPOB leader also reminded the administration of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s statement from July 20 on Nnamdi Kanu’s illegitimate arrest and ongoing detention.
In response to the agitation from Kanu’s attorneys, Suleiman revealed that the CNG retreat disapproved of the United Nations’ involvement in the matter and added that the self-described agitator is currently being tried for treason. The coalition spokesman asked the presidency and the appropriate authorities handling the matter not to be frightened by the United Nations’ position, but this is still true today.
He said, “The retreat resolved to reiterate the CNG’s position against undue interference by the international community, particularly the United Nations in the internal security affairs of the country. We want to caution the UN to desist from allowing some of its officials to drag it into international disrepute by interfering in particularly the matter of the trial of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We also caution the Nigerian authorities against succumbing to undue pressure from whatever quarter so as to avoid setting a dangerous precedence in the country.”
