Reasons Behind DSS Blocking Nnamdi Kanu’s Access to Lawyers Revealed

Details have emerged explaining why the Department of State Services (DSS) continues to prevent lawyers from meeting with Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is facing terrorism charges in the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to Naija News, Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 after being controversially extradited from Kenya.Continue Reading>>>

Kanu’s legal team has repeatedly accused the DSS of hindering their access to him. On October 17, the court issued a warning to DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, threatening imprisonment if lawyers continued to be denied access to Kanu.In a follow-up hearing, the court summoned the DSS DG to explain the ongoing denial, which reportedly originates from directives issued by the SSS leadership.

Judge Binta Nyako had previously ruled on May 20 that the IPOB leader should be allowed visitors three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This order required that Nnamdi Kanu be provided a secure and clean space to meet with up to five legal representatives to prepare his defense.

A court document obtained by Premium Times outlined the conditions for the legal team’s access, ensuring they had sufficient space and could take notes as needed.However, unnamed DSS officials contend that the court order only allows access to Kanu for trial preparation, which they claim is currently on hold.One source familiar with the situation stated that Kanu’s request for Justice Nyako to recuse herself had temporarily stalled the proceedings.

Although Justice Nyako has resumed her role in the case, no new trial date has been established, leading the DSS to argue that access is only appropriate once the trial officially restarts.Kanu’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, criticized the DSS’s position as “childish,” arguing that it’s so childish because a court order doesn’t simply expire unless it is overturned by another court order.Continue Reading>>>

He asserted that the DSS does not have the authority to restrict visitation while a court order is in effect, questioning, “If they claim we cannot see him until the trial begins, when are we supposed to prepare our client for that trial?”Ejiofor also argued that if the DSS believes the court order for legal access expired with Justice Nyako’s temporary recusal, then Kanu’s detention should also be deemed invalid.

“This means Nnamdi Kanu should not be in DSS custody. It indicates that his ongoing detention is unlawful because, according to the DSS, the order has expired,” he stated.