The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of unlawfully eavesdropping on his confidential conversations with his legal team while preparing his defence.
In an open letter addressed to the five Southeast governors, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, decried his brother’s detention as unlawful and expressed grave concerns about his deteriorating health.
“Kanu is gravely ill and dying slowly. Biafraland will hold you all accountable should anything happen to him,” Emmanuel wrote, urging the governors not to abandon Kanu in detention. He highlighted the violation of Kanu’s fundamental human rights and called for his immediate release.
Kanu’s legal team has filed an appeal against the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court on March 19. They alleged that the DSS obstructed Kanu’s right to prepare his defence by denying his lawyers the ability to take notes, transmit messages, and communicate with him effectively.
The lawyers also accused the DSS of secretly taking pictures, recording briefings, and scanning documents meant for Kanu, thereby violating his right to counsel as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution.
Lead Counsel Aloy Ejimakor argued before the Court of Appeal that the lower court erred in denying Kanu’s constitutional right to a fair trial
. He emphasised that the denial of adequate facilities to prepare for the defence and the right to counsel of Kanu’s own choice constituted a grave miscarriage of justice. Ejimakor stressed the importance of a fair hearing and urged the court to intervene to protect Kanu’s rights.
The legal battle continues as Kanu remains in detention, prompting renewed calls for justice and respect for human rights in Nigeria.
