The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, July 26, declined the request of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to be moved to Kuje Correctional Service Centre.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest and extradition to Nigeria. He is on trial for treasonable felony.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s lead counsel, early this month asked the court to transfer him from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison.
The IPOB leader alleged that he has been “subjected to mental and psychological torture” by the DSS and also complained that he has been denied access to his doctors.
Kanu’s trial was adjourned on Monday after the DSS failed to bring him to court .
Barr. Ejiofor expressed worry over the absence of Kanu in court, alleging Kanu has been subjected to dehumanizing conditions and that he has no access to his lawyers.
He asked that Kanu leaves the DSS facility to Kuje Prisons, however, Justice Binta Nyako, turned down the application.
According to The Cable, Nyako said she will instead make an order for the lawyers to be given access to Kanu, but that the access will be regimented.
“No, I am not transferring him to the correctional centre. I am keeping him there (DSS custody) and I am going to make an order that you should be given access,” she said.
“But it is not going to be all comers’ affair; it will be regimented. You can’t get up at night and say you want to visit your client,” she added
