DSS impeding Nnamdi Kanu’s fair trial rights- Lawyer Ejimakor

Before his next court appearance, Biafra activist Nnamdi Kanu’s principal attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, accused the Department of State Services, or DSS, of impeding and frustrating his right to a fair trial. Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB.

According to Ejimakor, DSS agents disregarded court orders by demanding that Kanu’s attorneys meet with him separately at the agency’s Abuja holding facility.

He clarified that Kanu’s legal team was unable to meet with him ahead of his upcoming June 19 court appearance due to DSS’s demand.

In a statement he signed, Ejimakor stated: “The State Security Services (DSS) continues on its infamous path of frustrating every prospect of a fair trial for Mazi Kanu as the next hearing or trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case scheduled for June 19th and 20th, 2024 looms close.”

“Today, June 14, 2024, the DSS once again shown its blatant disregard for court rulings when it disregarded a court order and denied Mazi Kanu’s legal team a chance to meet with him collectively or as a team to make him ready for the aforementioned hearing/trial, which is set to begin on June 19.

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The DSS requested that we leave the area if any member of the legal team—including the undersigned Counsel—does not speak with Mazi Kanu individually. Mazi Kanu’s legal team left the DSS facility without seeing him because of this, which will undoubtedly make the hearing on June 19 more difficult.

“This most recent DSS disobedience of an ongoing court order is indicative of what has evolved into an executive self-indictment of the trial that both the government and the court maintain is necessary.

“Why is the AGF so intent on pursuing the matter if they disobey a straightforward court order that is intended to grant them the trial they so much want? Are we to assume that all they want in private is a bogus trial? To be true, without the components of a fair hearing in place, no case can be prosecuted.

“Every possibility for a fair hearing is being obstructed because of these actions, which serve as additional proof that the case against Mazi Kanu is without merit. If the AGF, acting through the DSS, is concerned about the full ramifications of a fair trial, they must act immediately and close this matter. If not, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his legal representatives will oppose any trial that violates the Constitution’s principles.