Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Urges UK to Intervene, Says Appeal Remains Unheard

UMUAHIA — The family of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has called on the British Government to take urgent diplomatic action over his continued incarceration in Nigeria, accusing the UK of failing to secure justice for its citizen.

The family, through a statement released on Sunday by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu Family, said Britain’s engagement with Nigerian authorities had not produced Kanu’s release, a hearing of his appeal or a satisfactory resolution of the legal questions surrounding his conviction.

Kanu, a British citizen, is serving a life sentence following his conviction in November 2025. His family argues that the conviction rests on repealed legislation and violates Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires criminal offences and their penalties to be prescribed by written law.

The family called on Nigerian authorities to specify the provisions of existing legislation under which Kanu was convicted, insisting that a savings clause could not take the place of a valid written-law provision defining the alleged offences and their punishments.

It maintained that the issues involved were substantial constitutional questions rather than minor legal technicalities.

The statement also raised questions about why Kanu remained in custody after the Court of Appeal discharged him and quashed the charges against him in October 2022.

The family alleged that he spent about 14 months in detention after the appellate court’s decision and accused the Federal Government of later pursuing charges that had already been quashed.

It further questioned the use of a civil process to stay the execution of the court’s decision, describing the events as a troubling challenge to the rule of law.

The family said Kanu’s appeal, which it claimed was filed and served in June 2026, had still not been scheduled for hearing by October 18.

UK urged to escalate diplomatic intervention

The family demanded that Britain explain what concrete steps it had taken to address Kanu’s case, arguing that routine consular visits were no longer sufficient.

It specifically sought clarification on whether the case had been referred to the United Kingdom’s Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions, who was appointed in July 2026.

The family urged the British Foreign Secretary to refer the matter to the envoy without delay if no referral had been made.

It described occasional telephone calls to inquire about Kanu’s welfare as inadequate, arguing that such contact did not address the substantive legal and human rights concerns surrounding his imprisonment.

The family called on the British Government to use its diplomatic influence to seek an early hearing of Kanu’s appeal and a lawful resolution of the disputed issues.

“We demand action, not engagement. We demand answers, not consular visits,” the statement said.

Family questions Britain’s historical position on Biafra

The statement also revisited Britain’s involvement in the Nigerian Civil War, alleging that the British Government had historically prioritised strategic interests over Biafra.

The family cited a United States intelligence assessment dated August 12, 1969, alongside parliamentary proceedings of November 17, 1969, as the basis for its allegation that Britain supplied arms to the Nigerian Federal Government while publicly advocating peace.

It said Britain’s response to Kanu’s detention would serve as a measure of its commitment to the rule of law and its responsibility to protect British citizens abroad.

The family clarified that it was not demanding that the UK influence the outcome of Kanu’s appeal. Instead, it said Britain should use diplomatic channels to ensure that his legal challenges received appropriate attention.

According to the statement, Kanu remains held at the Sokoto Correctional Centre. His family expressed concern about his health and the length of time he has been deprived of his liberty.

It called on both the British and Nigerian governments to clarify the legal foundation of his conviction, explain the status of his appeal and outline the measures being taken to address the concerns raised.

The claims regarding Kanu’s conviction, detention, appeal and Britain’s historical role reflect the family’s account and interpretation of the events.

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