The Coalition of Northern Groups on Monday cautioned the United Nations to stop meddling in the affairs of Nigeria over the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The group issued the warning through a press statement signed by CNG Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, after a two-day retreat held at the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State.
The PUNCH reports that Kanu is currently standing trial in a Nigerian court for treason-related charges.
The development is coming three days after lawyers of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra made a fresh bid to secure his release from security custody, citing alleged jeopardy to his life.
Kanu’s lawyers had claimed in a petition written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that he is being held in a small deplorable cell which exposed him to psychological and mental torture without access to other inmates or any of the officers on duty.
The IPOB leader’s attorney also reminded the government of the July 20 position of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the illegal/arbitrary arrest and the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
Reacting to Kanu’s lawyers’ agitation, Suleiman disclosed that the CNG retreat frowned at the interference of the United Nations on the issue, adding that the self-acclaimed agitator is facing a trial for treason.
This is even as the coalition spokesman urged the presidency and relevant authorities handling the case not to be intimidated by the position of the United Nations.
He said, “The retreat resolved to reiterate the CNG’s position against undue interference by the international community, particularly the United Nations in the internal security affairs of the country. We want to caution the UN to desist from allowing some of its officials to drag it into international disrepute by interfering in particularly the matter of the trial of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We also caution the Nigerian authorities against succumbing to undue pressure from whatever quarter so as to avoid setting a dangerous precedence in the country.”
