The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday failed to bring leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to the Federal High Court, Abuja for the continuation of his trial.
In a ruling, Justice Binta Nyako turned down an application by Mr Kanu’s lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor for the IPOB leader to be moved from DSS custody to Kuje Correctional Service Centre.
Mr Ejiofor expressed worry over the absence of Kanu in court. He alleged that his client was subjected to dehumanising conditions and that Kanu has no access to his lawyers in DSS custody.
Ejiofor, who said he had not seen his client for over 10 days, told the court that the information reaching him was that Kanu had been taken away to an unknown destination.
The judge, however, made an order for the lawyers to be given access to Kanu.
“No, I am not transferring him to correctional centre. I am keeping him there (DSS custody) and I am going to make an order that you should be given access,” she said.
The judge, however, noted that the access to Kanu would be regimented.
“But it is not going to be all-comers affair; it will be regimented. You can’t get up at night and say you want to visit your client,” she stated.
Justice Nyako, who condemned the prosecution’s act for not producing Kanu in court, ordered that Kanu should be produced in court in the next adjourned date.
She also noted that since the court vacation had started, a fiat from the chief judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, would be needed to give the matter accelerated hearing.
She adjourned the matter until October 21 for trial continuation.
