The leader of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will today know his fate as the court sits to give a ruling after seeking release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu has been in the custody of the men of the DSS since he was rearrested in 2021 after the court revoked his house arrest term when he secretly flew out of the country.
He argued that he needed to sneak out of the country for safety reasons after his house was surrounded by me of the Nigerian Army.
Justice Binta Fatima Nyako will today decide the fate of Kanu in a ruling billed to be delivered in respect of the request.
The court had fixed today, May 20 for the ruling shortly after taking arguments from Kanu‘s legal team led by Aloy Ejimakor and that of the federal government, represented by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
Kanu in the Federal high court, Abuja, pleaded with the court to reinstate his previous house arrest that was granted in 2017 and later revoked for his return to the men of the DSS back in 2021 after he illegally traveled out of the country.
He argued through his legal team and requested the Judge to order his removal from the custody of the DSS and place him under house arrest or remand him in prison.
Besides, he asked that his lawyers must be allowed unhindered access to him to enable him prepare for his defence in the terrorism charges against him, adding that until those conditions were met by the Federal Government in line with Section 36 of the 1999 constitution, he would not submit himself for trial.
The defence team, the federal government of Nigeria led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN opposed his motions for house arrest or being remanded in prison citing that in criminal cases, the defendant does not detect to the court how his trial will be conducted.
On the request for removal from DSS custody, Awomolo said that the only safe and secure environment for Kanu remained the DSS custody in the interest of the safety of his life.
He urged the court to dismiss the allegation of hindered access to lawyers by Kanu, adding that in his application and the supporting affidavit, Kanu did not name any DSS operative hindering lawyers from accessing him or eavesdropping during conversation with lawyers.
