Wole Soyinka Lecture Series: 'It's Possible Nnamdi Kanu Was Drugged Before Repatriation' — Femi Falana

Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN says it is "likely" Kenya law enforcement agents "drugged" Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), before he was repatriated to Nigeria.

Falana who stated this at the 13th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series on Tuesday, an event to commemorate the scholar's 87th birthday, said that the treatment meted out by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to pro-Biafra political activist, Nnamdi Kanu is similar to the foiled Nigerian kidnap plot in 1984 of Umaru Dikko, a former federal minister. Kanu, leader of IPOB, is also a British citizen. Facing treason charges as a result of the controversial activities of IPOB, he had fled Nigeria since 2017.

In London in 1984, a team of Nigerians and Israelis attempted to kidnap and repatriate exiled Dikko. Dikko (now late), who had fled Nigeria after a military coup, was accused of stealing $1bn of government money.

The plot was foiled by a young British customs officer, Charles David Morrow.

“We should not allow Buhari’s government take us back to 1984 when an attempt was made to kidnap Umaru Diko in London," Falana said. "He had already been kidnapped and on the way to airport, a neighbour saw them and raised alarm after witnessing the inhuman treatment he was subjected to.

“In the case of Kanu, Kenya government cannot admit that on their soil a Nigerian was taken out of the country without going through the legal process. It’s likely they drugged him to sleep and brought him back to Nigeria. That is against the anti-torture act and Nigeria’s constitution. Therefore, those who say they brought Kanu back through some international collaboration are not saying the truth. Interpol cannot deport without due process.”

Furthermore, Falana has this message for Nigerian politicians, most especially "the people in Abuja".

“It is sad that Buhari forget quickly. In 2003, Obasanjo’s administration disbanded a rally in Kano which was attended by Buhari, we went to court and won the case. The court declared that police permit for rally is illegal and unconstitutional. A free people do not need permit to enjoy their freedom.

“Based on that, we mobilized the National Assembly and they made a law in 2015 that if you are going to have rally in Nigeria, all you need to do is to inform police to provide adequate security. The people in Abuja need to understand that we are not a conquered people, so they should learn to treat us with dignity.

“We are not surprised that the bill to criminalize protest has been withdrawn because it’s not possible in a democratic era."