AVID to S’East govs: You risk US sanctions over Kanu’s continued detention

AVID to S’East govs: You risk US sanctions over Kanu’s continued detention

Steve Oko

American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID, has cautioned South East Governors that they risk US sanctions including travel ban and confiscation of assets on US soil over their alleged non-challancy in pursuing the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, since June 2021 when he was abducted extraordinary renditioned from Kenya.

AVID’s warning followed allegation that the Governors were yet to write a letter demanded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for Kanu’s release.

The group in a statement by its President, Chief Dr Sylvester Onyia; and Secretary, Dr Godson Obiagwu, expressed disappointment that the Governors are not doing enough to get Kanu out of detention.

AVID warned South East Governors to be aware of the grave implication of their inaction towards Kanu’s affairs.

The statement made available to Ikengaonline read :”According to the information we have, the Governors are supposed to meet with the President and unanimously advocate for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, which has yet to occur.

“We also know that Mr President has asked the Southeast Governors to
write a formal letter seeking the release of their son, which they all find difficult to do.

“We are also aware that all meaningful initiatives, particularly by religious leaders and national and state players, have been frustrated by the same Governors.

“Even after the Nigerian appeals court pronounced Mazi Nnamdi Kanu not guilty, the Governors remained silent, confirming their complicity.

“Your Excellencies, as the USA Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, we must make you aware that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu mirrors the sort of grave human rights violations sanctionable
by the USA Government under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which was enacted to punish violators of internationally recognized human rights.

“The Act empowers the President
of the United States to impose sanctions against foreign officials complicit in “gross violations of international recognized human rights,” against persons for exercising internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression or association, among other things.

“The range of presidential sanctions includes a denial of visas, blocking transactions in all property in the United States, and public stigma.

“Therefore, when the time comes for it, your inaction in seeking for the release of Nnamdi Kanu may make you
complicit and thus subject to the full consequences of this Act should you come in contact with the United
States which you do very often.”

The group urged South East Governors to be more forceful in advancing the cause of Ndigbo considering the strategic position they occupy.

“As AVID USA, we cannot stand by and let Southeast Governors devastate Igboland by selfishness and a lack of motivation to advance our region.

” As a group, we attempted multiple times to persuade these Governors that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was justified, on his stands on security and social
economic development of Southeast.

“Keep in mind that you Governors proscribed IPOB, while previous President Buhari labeled this wonderful
organization a terrorist movement due to his enmity with the Igbo people. For this reason, we can’t really blame the President for the insecurity in the Southeast region.”

AVID did also not spare President Tinubu over Kanu’s continued incarceration, challenging him to honour his campaign promise to release Kanu.

The group also supported the recent position of Igbo Ministers that Tinubu should honour the agreement his son Seyi had with Kanu’s family that should he emerge President, Kanu would be freed provided the family prevailed on IPOB not to boycott the 2023 presidential poll.

“We, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, (AVID) concur with Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s position on the implementation of the agreement between the family of Nnamdi Kanu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his son Seyi.

“We also concur with the concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission over the recent news announcement that:“The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a betrayal of Igbo nation….”

AVID is a body of retired and serving military officers of Igbo extraction.

 

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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