The British Government cannot get embattled IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu out of detention or Prison.
It will be recalled that Kanu is also a citizen of the United Kingdom. POLITICS NIGERIA reported on Wednesday that Kanu was arrested by Nigerian authorities in an east african country and immediately extradited to Nigeria.
He was arraigned in court on Tuesday and remanded in DSS custody until July 26th.
When asked to speak on the situation and give clarification on the “Consular Assistance” than can be given to Kanu, Dan Hurlock, a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Abuja, referenced a manual titled “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide”.
The book details guidelines on British Government support to nationals in other countries. The book states;
“We can offer you information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, work possibilities, and social and welfare services. We can also explain where there are different regulations for remand prisoners and sentenced prisoners. For example, in some countries, prisoners are allowed to send more mail when they are on remand.”
“We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British. If however you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards we will consider approaching local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.”
“With your permission, we can consider taking up a complaint about ill-treatment, personal safety, or discrimination with the police or prison authorities.”
“Consular staff will keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting personally or by telephone/ letter. The frequency of visits will depend on local prison conditions and your personal circumstances.”
“If you are a dual British national in the country of your other nationality (for example, a dual Nigerian-British national in Nigeria), we would NOT normally offer you support or get involved in dealings between you and the authorities of that state. We may make an exception to this rule if, having looked at the circumstances of the case, we consider that you are vulnerable and we have humanitarian concerns.”
“We would not normally attend a court case involving a British national, and we cannot influence the outcome of any trial,”, the document revealed.
