Accused Nigerian secessionist leader caught in UK, extradited back to country

By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria on Tuesday announced that after over four years on the run, an accused secessionist leader had been caught in London and brought back to the country for trial.

Nnamdi Kanu was intercepted in London on Sunday and extradited to Nigeria to continue his trial, Justice Minister Abubakar Malami said in Abuja, the nation's capital.

Kanu is facing charges of treason and criminal conspiracy at a federal high court in Abuja. When he got bail in April 2017, he fled the country.

"He has been accused of engaging in subversive activities, inviting violence through radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and her citizens,” said Malami.

"He has been instigating violence especially in southeastern Nigeria that resulted into the loss of lives and properties of the Nigerian state, military, civilians, and paramilitary."

Kanu had said his group wants a separate nation for the people of the southeastern region.

The court ordered Kanu remanded in custody of the secret police when he was re-arraigned by the federal government on Tuesday.