The United States (US) Congress has Nigeria targeted for listing as “a state terror sponsor”, according to Bruce Fein, the International counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the detained British-Nigerian leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Bellnewsonline.com reports that in a statement on Monday night, Fein suggested that Chris Smith, a U.S. Congressman for New Jersey’s 4th District, who is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, is behind the move.
The constitutional and international law expert claimed that the continued detention of his client, Kanu, by the Nigerian government prompted the imminent purported listing — although he provided no details.
The United States Congress has Nigeria targeted for listing as a state sponsor of terrorism to join Iran et al., based on the kidnapping, torture, and extraordinary rendition of MNK and collusion with Boko Haram. Chairman of the Africa Subcommittee, Chris Smith, is eagle-eyed.
— Bruce Fein (@BruceFeinEsq) January 16, 2023
“The United States Congress has Nigeria targeted for listing as a state sponsor of terrorism to join Iran et al., based on the kidnapping, torture, and extraordinary rendition of MNK (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) and collusion with Boko Haram,” Fein said.
Earlier this month, Fein asked President Muhammadu Buhari to comply with the order of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Working Group and release his client immediately.
In a letter obtained by Bellnewsonline.com, the legal practitioner said President Buhari is depriving Kanu of his liberty and thus violating 16 international human rights covenants.
Also, twice in the past few months, Jarvis Johnson, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 139, wrote to the United States (US) government led by President Joe Biden, urging authorities to facilitate the “immediate release” of Kanu.
Kanu is being prosecuted on charges of terrorism and has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja since June 2021.