The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), has condemned the arrest and continued detention of activist Omoyele Sowore, Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel Kanu, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and other protesters by the police.
The group described the arrests as arbitrary and an affront to democratic principles, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
The demands were contained in a statement released by the Executive Director of FENRAD, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor.
“FENRAD views these arrests as unlawful, arbitrary, and an affront to democratic principles, in direct violation of Sections 35, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,” he said.
He also called on the Federal Government to drop all terrorism-related charges against IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and to release him from detention in the interest of justice and national reconciliation.
The group expressed shock that Kanu is still being held in detention despite previous court pronouncements as well as the position of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on Kanu’s detention and extraordinary rendition.
“In the interest of justice, national reconciliation, and constitutional order, FENRAD calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately drop all terrorism-related charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure his unconditional release, in line with binding judicial and international decisions,” he said.
