Bruce Fein, the American counsel for detained indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has questioned why Nigeria’s three main presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, and Peter Obi, have not promised to obey court verdicts to release his client.
The lawyer insisted on Twitter that the IPOB leader’s continued detention despite the court’s decision was “lawless.”
He questioned Tinubu, Atiku, and Peter Obi for refusing to pledge compliance with the United Nations Working Group’s directive.
Fein claimed that anyone who accepts Kanu’s custody from the Department of State Service (DSS) is illegally aiding and abetting a violation of the UN Working Group’s decision that his case is international.
Arbitrary detention is a jus cogens norm of international law binding on all nations. The UN Working Group’s finding that Kanu was being arbitrarily detained in violation of 16 human rights covenants binds Nigeria. Why are Atiku, Tinubu, and Obi not pledging compliance? Lawless?
Anybody accepting custody of MNK (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) from DSS illegally aids and abets a violation of the UN Working Group’s definitive decision directing his immediate unconditional release. MNK’s case is international. Strict compliance with the Working Group through me is the only option.
Arbitrary detention is a jus cogens norm of international law binding on all nations. The UN Working Group’s finding that MNK is being arbitrarily detained in violation of 16 human rights covenants binds Nigeria. Why are Atiku, Tinubu, and Obi not pledging compliance? Lawless?
— Bruce Fein (@BruceFeinEsq) January 22, 2023
Anybody accepting custody of MNK from DSS illegally aids and abets a violation of the UN Working Group’s definitive decision directing his immediate unconditional release. MNK’s case is international. Strict compliance with the Working Group through me is the only option.
— Bruce Fein (@BruceFeinEsq) January 21, 2023