The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, threatening imprisonment over his obstruction of the legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from accessing their client.
The court had previously ruled that Kanu’s lawyers must be granted routine access to him. However, the DSS has been accused of flouting this order. In response, the court issued a Notice of Consequences on Friday, indicating that failure to comply with the court’s directive would result in contempt proceedings, which could lead to imprisonment for the DSS Director General.
This notice, issued by the court’s Registrar, was later made public by Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who also reiterated his intent to initiate contempt proceedings if the DSS continues to obstruct legal access.
In his statement, Ejimakor emphasized the severity of the situation, stating:
“Earlier today, the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja issued a Form 48, which is a Notice of Consequences of disobeying an order of court against the Director General of DSS regarding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The notice stated:
‘TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this Order by allowing the Applicant’s Counsel to conduct the court-ordered visitations with the Applicant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you will be guilty of Contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.’”
Ejimakor also stressed that the DSS DG’s actions, which have obstructed Kanu’s legal team from visiting him for nearly a month, are in direct violation of the court’s order. He warned that if this “ignoble path” continues, contempt proceedings would be vigorously pursued, with the potential penal consequences of imprisonment.
This development adds to the ongoing legal battles surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by the DSS on charges related to his leadership of the secessionist movement in southeast Nigeria. The court’s order underscores the importance of ensuring the rule of law and adherence to court rulings in the case.
