Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, has accused the Department of State Services of impeding court-ordered visits to their client in detention.
Ejiofor disclosed this on Thursday after his routine visit to Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS cell in Abuja.
The IPOB lawyer narrating the encumbrances they faced, expressed shock at the brazen violation of court-ordered guidelines by the security agency.
He said, “The visit, which ought not to have lasted beyond two hours, ended up being overstretched for four hours due to a change in the modalities of the visit, which gravely violated Onyendu’s right to Client-Lawyer privilege/privacy.
“Despite the initial bottlenecks, we, Onyendu’s lawyers, who originally set out to jointly debrief Onyendu on the status of his matter and other legal undertakings, were separately/individually admitted for the visit. This was in clear violation of the extant Court’s Guideline. Nevertheless, we proceeded to conduct the visit.
“This new twist is an infraction that will be challenged at the appropriate forum, in the unlikely event that our protest to the detaining authority, and the Court, in particular, falls on deaf ears.
“In view of this change in status quo, I was made to first conduct the meeting with Onyendu and we separately gave our briefs on the status of his case, as well as the general inroad so far recorded, which details remain private.
“I spent quality time with Onyendu, and this afforded us a veritable opportunity to extensively brainstorm on availing legal strategies being explored for the best output by his team of lawyers ably led by the legal Iroko – Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN”, Ejiofor disclosed.
The lawyer relayed Nnamdi Kanu’s appreciation to his teeming followers and assured them that the IPOB leader’s legal team is leaving no stone unturned in their ques
“Be assured that we, in the legal team, are not leaving any stone unturned towards ensuring Onyendu’s unconditional release”, he added.
He said that the IPOB leader called on his supporters to remain calm as they have always done.
“Most importantly, Onyendu assures you all that his present incarceration in solitary confinement is a sacrifice that will not go in vain.
“He solicits your understanding, patience and cooperation to enable us to see the manifestation of the Will of God in this regard”.
t to secure his freedom.
“Onyendu thanked you all, millions of his followers, fans and Ezigbo UmuChineke for your unfailing solidarity”, Ejiofor said. “He reiterated that the fact that he is still strong and firm today, is attributable to your resoluteness, ceaseless prayers and undiluted loyalty. He deeply appreciates everyone who is collectively united in this uncommon resolve.