Where, really, is Nnamdi Kanu?

Where exactly is Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed Supreme Commander/Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)? Is he still in Nigeria or has he really escaped to the United Kingdom as is being speculated? If he has escaped, is his escape an indictment on the nation’s security network?  If indeed he has left the country, does […]

Where exactly is Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed Supreme Commander/Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)? Is he still in Nigeria or has he really escaped to the United Kingdom as is being speculated? If he has escaped, is his escape an indictment on the nation’s security network? 

If indeed he has left the country, does it mean the end of the struggle for his dream republic of Biafra? Does his possible escape also mean an end to the pending court case between him and the federal government? Does his said escape make him a coward or a leader lacking trustworthiness? If he has escaped, how would his die-hard followers and supporters view his credibility, sincerity or integrity? Who facilitated his escape, and what’s the security/legal implication? These and several others are questions begging for answers as Kanu’s location still remains unknown.

However, there are indications that the federal government might try the embattled Kanu in absentia since he did not appear in court to face prosecution.

The self-acclaimed Supreme leader of IPOB was scheduled to appear before trial Justice Binta Nyako to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, alongside three other pro-Biafra agitators namely Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie.

But Kanu’s whereabouts still remains unknown, fueling speculations that he might have escaped or been taken away or killed by the security forces that invaded his residence. All the same, the development has put his sureties, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu El-Shalom at risk of going to jail.

The federal government is prosecuting Kanu and others through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Charges against the defendants border mainly on criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony. Kanu may not be the first person to be tried in absentia. Daily Trust recalls that when former Niger Delta Militant Mr Tompolo refused to make himself available in court, the federal government proceeded to try him in absentia.        

Kanu was arrested in 2016 for his secessionist activities and thrown into jail until April 25, 2017, when Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High court Abuja granted him bail on stringent conditions. Although some say he violated part of the bail conditions, Kanu enjoyed his bail until September 14 when soldiers observing the military exercise – Operation Python Dance, reportedly invaded his Afaraukwu, Ibeku Umuahia residence. 

It was gathered that the military men were allegedly confronted by the IPOB members who pelted them with stones to the extent of wounding one Corporal Matthew Kolawole, a development that angered the soldiers who descended heavily on the IPOB members and invaded the palace of Kanu’s father who is the traditional ruler of the community.

At the end of the IPOB/military saga, many people were said to have died, although nobody, not even the army authorities have been able to confirm the actual number of casualties at the time of writing this report.

Since after the incident, there have been claims that Kanu is missing; at least, nobody seems to have established any useful contact with him. His family members said that they had not seen him, let alone discussing with him. The Nigerian Army on the other hand has also denied allegations that it arrested him or has him in custody.

Defence Spokesman, Major General John Enenche, at a press conference in Abuja, said that it was not the responsibility of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to declare Nnamdi Kanu wanted. “Nnamdi Kanu is not in the custody of the military,” he said.

However, there is a version about Kanu’s disappearance that he had earlier gotten wind of the impending soldier/IPOB clash and was smuggled out to safety by Alhaji Asari Dokubo’s boys who eventually assisted him to escape through the creeks and waterways. This version is yet to be confirmed by Dokubo’s camp. 

However, another source said Asari Dokubo might not have facilitated Kanu’s escape since he abandoned his Niger Delta Volunteer Force and his boys long ago for the Niger Republic where he currently resides. “Dokubo may not have a hand in his escape. His boys were abandoned when he disbanded his group,” the source added.

But while accusations and suspicions still surround Kanu’s “disappearance,” a former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu apparently gave a lead to Kanu’s likely whereabouts when he told a national daily during an interview that he (Kanu) had escaped to London through Malaysia.

The former governor said: “Kanu was not taken away by the military. Kanu went to Malaysia from where he travelled to the United Kingdom. Nnamdi Kanu is in London right now as we speak. He was not arrested by anybody; he left the country on his own.

“One of his relations has spoken to me and explained everything because I wanted to see him and talk to him wherever he was and see how I could meet some federal government officials on his issue. I also wanted to see ways of talking to the president about him, and find common grounds but his family told me that he has left the country, unless they are lying to me.

“I believe, whether he had left the country or not, he is not with the military because I asked the commander of the 14 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. A.K Ibrahim, who is a very fine and good soldier, well educated and dedicated, and he told me that they don’t know his whereabouts and I am sure the Department of State Services have the same information. I also visited the commissioner of police and he said he didn’t know his whereabouts and that they are also looking for him,” the former governor was quoted as saying.

While one is not agreeing to Kalu’s disclosure or revelation about the possible location of the IPOB leader, one would also have to acknowledge the fact that Kalu might not be far from the truth; after all, didn’t Kalu visit Kanu while he was in Kuje Prisons to discuss his bail terms?

All the same, President of Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), a human rights body, Barrister Olu Omotayo, said that if indeed Kanu escaped from the country, it smacks of security lapses on the troops that went on the operation during the IPOB/military clash at Kanu’s residence.

“There are different statements coming from the military and IPOB. But then if you say you surround the house and you are now saying the man has escaped, the people who led the operation are supposed to be queried,” said Omotayo, who quickly added: “The entire saga has a grave negative implication on the nation’s security, particularly as it concerns the army.”

Besides, there is the legal implication of the Kanu’s apparent escape from Nigeria. “I think the only legal implication is because he has a pending case in court. If truly he escaped, his escape might put into jeopardy those who signed his bail for him; it’s going to be a big problem for them,” he said.

Emma Powerful, the IPOB spokesperson, in his initial reaction to Kalu’s statement classified him (Kalu) as “beholden to the Fulani caliphate interest, to the extent that he has almost lost his senses,” emphasizing that his claim “is an indication that he will do anything to escape his ongoing corruption scandal. It is not unexpected of a man who has spent his entire life lying, deceiving and running errands for his Hausa Fulani Islamic caliphate masters to make this laughable outburst.”

The IPOB spokesman gave indication that IPOB would drag to court Kalu alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukuk Burutai, to explain what they know about their “missing leader.” He noted that there was no justification for the invasion.  Also, head of the IPOB’s legal team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described Kalu as “a drowning man,” pointing out that he was “desperately in search of relevance from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.”

Kalu is not a stranger to IPOB and its agitation. Indeed, he was among the first set of Igbo leaders who visited Kanu at Kuje Prisons, where a meeting was brokered with some top relevant security agencies on his possible bail.

One of the lawyers who initially handled the IPOB matter, Mr Vincent Obetta, who claimed he facilitated the meeting, expressed shock and disappointment over the breakdown in relationship between Kalu and IPOB.

But then, in all of these, who is saying the truth – IPOB, the military or Kalu? Apparently, future events will provide an answer.