Court Threatens to Jail DSS Director Over Denial of Nnamdi Kanu’s Access to His Lawyers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, threatening imprisonment if he continues to disobey court orders regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s legal access.

The notice, dated October 18, 2024, and signed by the court registrar, cautioned Ajayi for failing to allow Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to meet with his legal team. The court directed that Kanu must be granted access to his lawyers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as previously ordered.

The court document stated, “TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this Order… you will be guilty of Contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the notice, explaining that the DSS had repeatedly ignored the court’s order. According to Ejimakor, the DSS Director has not allowed Kanu’s lawyers to visit him for nearly a month, violating the ruling that set visitation days to three times a week.

Ejimakor stated, “This notice is a quasi-criminal judicial process warning of the consequences of disobeying a court order. If the DSS Director continues this behavior, we will have no choice but to pursue vigorous contempt proceedings.”

The ongoing dispute stems from a May 20, 2024 ruling by Justice Binta Nyako, which outlined specific conditions for Kanu’s visitation rights in DSS custody. The court mandated that Kanu be provided a safe and clean environment to meet with his legal team and prepare his defense.

However, Kanu’s legal representatives have repeatedly raised concerns, claiming the DSS has not only recorded their meetings but has now entirely blocked access, obstructing Kanu’s ability to prepare for his defense.