Allow Nnamdi Kanu Change His Clothes, Court Orders DSS

…adjourns till Wednesday

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned further proceedings in the case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Wednesday.

The adjournment followed Kanu’s complaints that the Federal Government failed to promptly serve him the fresh 15 amended charges it brought before the court.

Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, further accused the FG of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him.

Ozekhome told the court that the amended charges were served on them barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing.

“My Lord, the proposed amended charges were served on us yesterday (Monday) evening. As I speak to you, my lord, the defendant, who was just brought in, has not even seen the charges which he is being told to enter his plea.

“With due respect, that is not justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows the Federal Government to amend, but this is the sixth amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial,” Ozekhome added.

Meanwile, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services to allow the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu to change his outfit.

Kanu, who is facing charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, was arraigned in Court on Tuesday.

His lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, drew the attention of the Judge to the treatment his client was being subjected to in the custody of the DSS.

He said Kanu was still being kept in solitary confinement, adding that inmates who greeted him were also being subjected to the same treatment.

This is despite an order by Justice Nyako for the DSS to allow the IPOB leader to practice his faith, have his bath, change his clothes and eat properly.

In response, Nyako reiterated her earlier order for the DSS to allow Kanu to enjoy some comfort. She, however, reminded his counsel that a detention facility is not a five-star hotel.

“I don’t want to see him in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Nyako added.

The PUNCH