Kanu knows fate April 8 as DSS explains why he can’t change his clothe

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will return to the court on Friday, April 8, 2022.

On that day, Kanu will know whether to go home to his “people” or remain in the strong hold of the Department of State Services (DSS), as the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, is expected to rule on the application brought by his lawyers, led by Mike Ozekhome SAN, to quash the 15-count amended charge levelled against him and let him off on bail.

Kanu’s trial on allegation of terrorism among other charges resumed Wednesday on a controversial note at the Federal High Court in Abuja with him wearing his faded designer Fendi outfit, contrary to Nyako’s order in December 2021, that he be allowed to change his outfit before his next appearance in court.

Ozekhome complained to the court that the DSS have refused to allow Kanu a change of clothes contrary to a definite order of the court.

Responding to Ozekhome’s complaint, the judge asked the Director of Legal Services of the DSS to provide explanations to the issue.

“My Lord, clothes that were brought for the defendant had lion’s head embroiled on them, and the defendant (Mr Kanu) can’t wear clothes with a lion’s head,” he said.

The secret service’s lawyer explained that “clothes with lion’s head offend the standard operating procedures” of the SSS.

READ: Court orders FG to pay Nnamdi Kanu N1bn damages

The judge then asked the type of clothe 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, had 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.

Ozekhome told the court 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 the charge. Kanu had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.