Wilfred Machage, Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, has denied claims that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested in Kenya.
The federal government has remained silent over the location where the separatist leader was arrested.
Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), only disclosed that the IPOB leader was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services.”
But Kingsley, Kanu’s sibling, claimed that his brother was apprehended in Kenya.
However, speaking at a media briefing on Friday, the Kenyan high commissioner said the allegation was “concocted” to pitch Nigerians in the South-east against the Kenyan people.
“I want to address the allegation by denying that Kenya was involved in the alleged arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria of Mr Kanu”, Machage said.
“The allegation is fictional, imaginary and deliberately concocted to fuel antagonistic feeling amongst the southern section of the Nigerian people against the Kenya people.
“Indeed many countries have been accused — Rwanda, Czech Republic, Britain, Ethiopia — and God knows which other countries.
“I want to challenge anyone with facts relating to this alleged arrest in Kenya to present this fact. This will include how and who was particularly involved in the alleged arrest.
“Nigeria is a sovereign country. It’s your country. Instead of facing the Kenyan high commission in Nigeria to ask some of these questions, you should face your government.
“The government of Nigeria knows how they arrested him. They have the answers, not me.”
Newsbreak had earlier reported on Friday that Alexander Muteshi, Kenya director-general of Immigration Services, on Thursday, dismissed the claim that Kanu was arrested in the country.
Kanu was first arrested in Nigeria on October 14, 2015, following years of his campaign for the sovereign state of Biafra.
He was granted bail in April 2017, but fled Nigeria after soldiers invaded his residence in Abia State during a military clampdown on IPOB members.
He was brought back to the country on Sunday and arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, two days later.
Nyako ordered that he should be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), until the resumption of his trial on July 26, 2021.
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