Nnamdi Kanu, The leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, is a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Since his re-arrest in June, his lawyers have reportedly sought consular assistance from the United Kingdom in order to ensure that he is released. However, there is a lot of misconception as to the kind of consular assistance the UK can give Kanu.
Consular assistance is help and advice provided by the diplomatic agents of a country to citizens of that country who are living or traveling overseas. The diplomats may be honorary consuls or members of the country’s diplomatic service.
Anaedoonline.ng took a look at the official guide for British Nationals abroad which clearly stipulates the kind of assistance that can be rendered to people in situations like that of Kanu.
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Below is a list of services they can legally render;
1. Provision of replacement travel documents
2. Advice and support in the case of an accident, serious illness, or death
3. Advice and support to victims of serious crime overseas, and arranging for next-of-kin to be informed
4. Visitation contact with incarcerated nationals
5. Liaison with local police officials in the case of nationals abducted or missing overseas
6. Loans to distressed travelers
7. Help during crises, such as civil unrest and natural disasters
8. Facilitating the overseas payment of social welfare benefits
9. Registering citizen births abroad
10. Providing a list of local doctors and lawyers for medical and/or legal issues
11. Supervising their flag vessels in foreign harbours
Such assistance commonly does not extend to:
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1. Storing luggage or valuables
2. Intervening in commercial disputes on behalf of their nationals
3. Providing travel agency, banking, or postal services
4. Changing Money
5. Translation and Interpreting services
6. Legal advice or Advocacy
7. Negotiation of special treatment, bail, or early release from prison
8. Criminal Investigation
9. Employment Services
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