The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of plotting to kill its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who was rearrested in Kenya and extradited back to Nigeria last Sunday.
He was then arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who ordered his remand in the custody of the DSS until his next trial date.
In a statement on Friday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, called on DSS to allow Kanu access to his lawyers.
The statement reads:
“Following the refusal of the Nigerian Government and her wicked security agency, the Department of State Services, DSS, to allow our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers and family access to him in the dungeon of DSS secret cell, it is now confirmed that their real intention in kidnapping him and bundling him back to Nigeria is to kill him. The mission they could not actualize in September 14, 2017 when soldiers invaded his Afaraukwu home during Operation Python Dance is what they want to actualize now. His health has been detoriatorating in the DSS cell as he has refused to eat their food since almost one week they kidnapped him. We demand that DSS should allow him access to his lawyers and family members for this is his lawful right.”
Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, had also accused the DSS of torturing Nnamdi Okwu Kanu in custody.
Deji Adeyanju urged Kanu’s lawyers to pray the court to transfer the IPOB leader to a prison facility during his next adjourned date.
He wrote:
“Kanu’s lawyers must insist that he be transferred from DSS custody to prison on the next court date to stop the violations of his rights. They have also denied him access to his lawyers and family members. This is another major human right violation. They are torturing Nnamdi Kanu. They blindfold him for many hours, leave him on the floor in a cold air-conditioned room and subject him to all forms of degrading treatments. This is grave violation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment.”
