The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied claims that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is being held in solitary confinement. This statement was made during the latest hearing in the ongoing terrorism trial against Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his re-arrest in 2021 and is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony filed by the Federal Government.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, a DSS operative testified in court under the protection of anonymity due to security concerns. Identified only as PW-BBB, the operative noted that “solitary confinement is not a practice of the DSS,” while responding to questions from Kanu’s legal counsel, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
Agabi questioned the nature of Kanu’s detention and suggested it could be considered “cruel and inhuman.” However, the witness replied that he was not Kanu’s handler and only served as an investigator. He also said he had no insight into Kanu’s mental health, as it was outside his duty scope.
As the hearing continued, the prosecution submitted several documents, including the medical report and death certificate of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide. Gulak was reportedly killed in Imo State on May 30, 2021.
The government alleged that his murder was linked to Kanu’s broadcast ordering supporters to enforce the IPOB sit-at-home directive. The documents were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence team.
Further evidence presented included a police report linking Gulak’s death to gunmen believed to be IPOB members. Meanwhile, Agabi challenged a video presented by the DSS, questioning why only Kanu and his team were visible in the footage. The DSS operative responded that the video showed standard interrogation procedures.
The court session was paused after Agabi requested an adjournment due to the non-availability of documents from the police. The prosecution, represented by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, opposed the request, claiming the defence was deliberately delaying the trial. He noted that the matter had dragged on for a decade and revealed that five more witnesses were ready to testify.
Justice James Omotosho granted the adjournment, stressing that the interest of justice should prevail even though the case was meant to be heard daily under existing trial guidelines. Before the session ended, the judge addressed claims that the DSS barred Kanu’s legal team from accessing him. Agabi clarified that the misunderstanding was due to his early arrival at the DSS facility.
Justice Omotosho took issue with a social media post made by Aloy Ejimakor, another member of the defence, which accused the DSS of denying access to Kanu. The judge warned against unverified public statements and urged lawyers to act professionally.
The matter was adjourned until May 21 for further hearing.
