DSS, NIA: Rufai, Bichi Responsible for Nnamdi Kanu’s Extraordinary Rendition – Ejimakor
By Wisdom Tide
28/08/2024
On September 28, 2024, Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), made a significant revelation concerning the controversial extraordinary rendition of his client from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021. Ejimakor named two former high-ranking Nigerian security officials as being directly responsible for the operation that led to Kanu’s forceful return to the country—a move that has continued to stir debate and condemnation on both national and international platforms.
The individuals Ejimakor identified are Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the immediate past Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Yusuf Magaji Bichi, who until recently served as the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). According to Ejimakor, these two officials played key roles in orchestrating the operation that saw Kanu forcibly removed from Kenya and returned to Nigeria, where he now faces serious charges related to his activities as the leader of IPOB.
Background of the Extraordinary Rendition
The saga of Nnamdi Kanu’s extraordinary rendition dates back to June 2021 when news broke that the IPOB leader had been captured in Kenya and swiftly flown back to Nigeria. This operation, which Ejimakor and many international observers have condemned as a violation of international law, has been mired in controversy from the outset.
Nnamdi Kanu, a vocal proponent of the secession of southeastern Nigeria to form an independent state of Biafra, had been a thorn in the side of the Nigerian government for years. His calls for Biafran independence, which have garnered both widespread support and opposition, culminated in his arrest in October 2015. However, after being granted bail in 2017 by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu fled the country following a military invasion of his residence in Afaraukwu, Abia State.
From 2017 until his capture in 2021, Kanu remained outside Nigeria, continuing his activism and leading IPOB from various international locations. His sudden reappearance in Nigeria, following what many have termed an unlawful and secretive operation, has been a focal point of legal battles and diplomatic tensions.
Ejimakor’s Accusations
In a recent post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Ejimakor directly implicated Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and Yusuf Magaji Bichi in Kanu’s extraordinary rendition. He asserted that these officials, in their capacities as heads of the NIA and DSS respectively, were vicariously responsible for the operation that resulted in Kanu’s forceful return to Nigeria.
Ejimakor’s accusation is particularly noteworthy because it brings into focus the actions of two of Nigeria’s most powerful security agencies, which are tasked with safeguarding the nation’s interests both domestically and internationally. The NIA, under Abubakar’s leadership, is primarily responsible for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations, while the DSS, led by Bichi until his recent replacement, handles internal security, including counterterrorism and surveillance.
The involvement of these agencies in Kanu’s rendition suggests a coordinated effort at the highest levels of government to apprehend the IPOB leader, regardless of the legal and diplomatic implications. Ejimakor’s statements have therefore reignited debates about the legality of the rendition and the roles played by these agencies.
International Law and the Controversy Surrounding Rendition
Extraordinary rendition, the practice of forcibly transferring a person from one country to another without due legal process, is widely regarded as a violation of international law. It typically involves the circumvention of established legal procedures, such as extradition treaties, and often occurs under a veil of secrecy, raising serious human rights concerns.
In Kanu’s case, the fact that he was apprehended in Kenya and transferred to Nigeria without going through the legal extradition process has drawn widespread condemnation. Human rights organizations and international legal experts have criticized the Nigerian government’s actions, arguing that they not only violate international norms but also undermine the rule of law.
Ejimakor has been at the forefront of the legal battle challenging Kanu’s rendition, arguing that the operation was illegal and that his client’s rights were grossly violated. He has consistently maintained that Kanu’s arrest and subsequent trial are tainted by the illegality of the rendition, which he believes should lead to the dismissal of all charges against the IPOB leader.
Government Response and Recent Developments
The Nigerian government has largely remained silent on the specifics of the operation that led to Kanu’s return, focusing instead on the charges he faces in court. However, the recent changes in the leadership of both the NIA and DSS have added a new dimension to the ongoing controversy.
In June 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed new heads for these agencies, replacing Rufai Abubakar with Ambassador Mohammed Babagana Monguno and Yusuf Bichi with Adeola Ajayi. While these changes have been presented as routine administrative decisions, they have sparked speculation about their timing and possible connections to the Kanu case.
Ejimakor, in his social media post, hinted that the replacement of these officials might be linked to their involvement in the rendition, although the government has not confirmed any such connection. The new appointments, however, signal a potential shift in the approach of these agencies to sensitive security matters, including the ongoing legal proceedings against Kanu.
The Road Ahead
As the legal battles surrounding Nnamdi Kanu continue to unfold, the questions raised by Ejimakor’s accusations are likely to remain in the spotlight. The involvement of top security officials in an operation that has been widely condemned raises important issues about accountability and the adherence to legal norms by government agencies.
For Nnamdi Kanu, the outcome of these proceedings will determine not only his fate but also the future of the IPOB movement. The Nigerian government, on the other hand, faces the challenge of balancing its internal security concerns with its obligations under international law—a balance that has proven difficult to maintain in this highly charged case.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these new revelations will impact the broader political and legal landscape in Nigeria. For now, the focus remains on the courts, where Kanu’s legal team continues to fight for his release and challenge the legality of his extraordinary rendition.
0 Comments