The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday explained why Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has not been allowed to change his Fendi outfit.
Kanu’s trial resumed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja with him wearing his regular Fendi outfit.
This is contrary to the order made by Justice Binta Nyako in December 2021 that he be allowed to change his outfit before his next appearance in court
The DSS during the resumption of the trial told the court that the clothes brought by Kanu’s family had a lion’s heart drawn on them and that it offends their operating procedures.
The judge then asked the type of cloth Kanu prefers to wear.
In response, Kanu said, “I want to wear the clothes of my people, “Isi Agu.”
The court, however, refused his request but asked the DSS to provide Kanu with his eyes glasses which his lawyers said was taken away from him.
Meanwhile, the Prosecution Counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, informed the court that the defence counsel had filed and served him with two applications, which he had responded accordingly.
He added that the first application is seeking an order quashing the 15-count amended charge levelled against Kanu and the other one seeking his bail.
Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome complained to the court that the DSS have refused to allow Kanu a change clothes contrary to a definite order of the court that he must be allowed to wear a new outfit.
Ozekhome added that, thrice, Kanu’s younger brother has been refused access to DSS facility where Kanu was detained.
The lead counsel also lamented that since Kanu was arrested and detained, his eye glass was seized by the DSS and has not been returned to him. He asks that his Glasses, be returned to him so he doesn’t go blind.
Justice Nyako said the complaint has been noted and directed Ozekhome to proceed with the business of the day.
At this juncture, Ozekhome said he has an application that basically seeks the quashing, striking out, and dismissing of the 15-count amended charge against Kanu for being incompetent and denying the court of jurisdiction to entertain the 15-count amended charge.
The application, with 34 grounds, and supported by 36-paragraph affidavit, Ozekhome said, also seeks for an order acquitting and discharging Kanu for want of jurisdiction and defective, baseless and incompetent charges.
The matter was then adjourned to April 8 to rule on Kanu’s applications to quash charge.
