The federal government has reportedly rejected a move by UK high commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, to discuss the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is also a British citizen, was arrested on Sunday and extradited to Nigeria to face trial for alleged treason, unlawful possession of firearms, Terrorism.
Recall that DAILY GIST had reported that the government of United Kingdom said it has written to the federal government to seek clarification regarding the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The British High Commission Spokesperson, Dean Hurlock disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
Hurlock said the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office “stands ready to provide consular assistance”.
The British High Commission in Abuja is currently in the process of seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest,” he said.
He added that the UK “would expect any trial or legal proceedings to follow due process” as Kanu’s prosecution resumes.
But moves by the UK to weigh in on the matter hit a brick wall when Malami hosted Laing in Abuja.
According to TheCable, Laing raised the issue of Kanu’s arrest, but the minister quickly rebuffed her.
A source familiar with the matter said he told Laing that the matter was “not part of the agenda and we’re not going to discuss it”
There is little official information about Kanu’s arrest other than Malami’s statement that the IPOB leader was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services”.
Other highlights of the meeting between Malami and Laing, according to Umar Gwandu, the minister’s spokesman, was the former’s insistence that Nigeria was right to ban Twitter.
AGF Malami said the nation’s interest is paramount above other considerations.
The minister added that any company operating in Nigeria must understand this and respect the nation’s interest.
If you want operate as a business entity in Nigeria, you must do so within the context of Nigerian laws. Nothing offensive or that breaches the Nigerian laws should be entertained,” he said.
The minister and his guest discussed bilateral issues on asset recovery, anti-corruption crusade, amendment of the electoral act, the audit bill, petroleum industry bill, Twitter ban and counter-terrorism.
