Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) has refused to grant his client comfort in its facility.
On December 2, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the DSS to allow Kanu to have the “maximum possible comfort” in custody.
This was after Kanu’s lawyer complained about the poor condition the IPOB leader was allegedly subjected to, including “not being allowed to change his clothes since he was arrested”.
Ruling on an oral application, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, had said Kanu should be allowed to have a bath whenever he wants, change his clothes, eat properly and practise his faith.
But in a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejiofor alleged that the DSS had treated the court order with the “greatest disdain”.
“We observed with dismay, and indeed it is very unfortunate and worrisome, that notwithstanding the far-reaching orders made by Her Lordship in the open Court on December 2, 2021, the detaining authorities being the DSS have in their usual style, flouted and/or ignored the said court orders.
“We were informed by our client-Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-that none of the pronouncements made by the Court on December 2 2021 has been obeyed by the DSS.
“They have unrepentantly continued to treat the orders of the Court with the greatest disdain. Our client-Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu further informed us that he had not eaten anything since yesterday.
“Apparently, he is being punished because we dared to complain to the court about the condition under which he is being held in custody. But, very, unfortunately, this should be the height of their reckless affront to the orders of the court.
“At the time Her Lordship made these far-reaching orders in open court, I did not mince words in informing the Court that the operatives of the DSS will flout these orders, pursuant to which the court specifically told me to come back to her with these facts if her order is flouted,” Ejiofor lamented in his statement.
He added that Kanu’s legal team would approach the court on Wednesday to present the “terrifying development, which is totally unacceptable, grossly condemnable, and cannot be tolerated”.
Meanwhile, troops on Monday reportedly thwarted an attempt by the outlawed IPOB and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) members to unleash mayhem on two communities in Imo.
The IPOB/ESN members attempted to unleash mayhem on Mgbidi and Awo-Mmamma communities within Oru West Local Government Area of Imo when troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn stepped in.
Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu.
Nwachukwu said that the group targeted people of the two communities for refusing to observe its “sit-at-home’’ order for Monday, December 6.
“The swift response of troops compelled the attackers, mounted on two Sienna Buses and a Toyota Hilux truck to abandon their mission and withdraw in disarray.
“Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals,’’ he stated.
The army spokesman said that in a separate development, troops uncovered four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by members of IPOB/ESN on Orlu-Owerri Road.
“Vigilant troops, who were on a reinforcement mission to Mgbidi/Awo-Mmamma detected the IEDs planted at about 15 meters apart on both sides of the road and safely defused them.
“No casualty was recorded during the diffusion
“The troops also recovered four wraps of unexploded ordnances, one motorcycle battery, two-vehicle alarm devices, one detonator, wires and batteries.
“The road has been safely cleared and motorists have resumed plying the road,’’ he added.
Nwachukwu urged all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses and disregard the illegal “sit-at-home’’ order by the proscribed group.
“We appeal to the good people of Mgbidi, Awo-Mmamma and Omuma to report any suspected member of the irredentist group, who may be seeking a safe haven, to relevant security agencies,’’ he stated.