By Gideon Njoku
The Department of State Services, DSS, has accused the Legal Team of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, of deliberate mischief, lying and misinformation over the condition of Kanu, who is in its custody.
Not known for addressing Press Conferences, seeking publicity, or publicly joining issues with anybody especially, since the tenure of its Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the DSS, on Tuesday, December 14, broke that “rule”.
Kanu, on the orders of a Federal High Court, Abuja, was kept in the custody of the DSS, pending the end of his prosecution. He is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on sundry issues including treason and terrorism.
A couple of weeks ago, his Legal team issued a statement to the effect that Kanu is being starved in the custody of the DSS; Is not allowed change of clothes; Is, also, not allowed to practice his religion.
But addressing a Press Conference at the Service’s Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, its Public Relations Officer, said nothing could be further from the truth.
Afunanya revealed that Kanu is not only allowed his choice of meals, change of clothes, but accorded full rights and privileges. He also revealed that Kanu, himself, confirmed to Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe, as well as Bishop Sunday Onuoha and Ambassador Okechukwu Emuchay, who visited him on December 8, 2021, that he was not being maltreated in any way.
Afunanya: “The story of Kanu being starved is fallacious. He could not have been starved as he enjoys meals of his choice. That he is not allowed change of clothes is also false. He is regularly allowed change of clothing as against what is presented to the public by IPOB propagandists.”
Accusing Kanu’s Legal team of mischief, he said: “It is unfortunate that some elements have decided to use outright misinformation to represent the state of affairs. Those who make these false stories do so to attract undue attention for the singular purpose of achieving a desired end. Rather than focus on how he should get justice, Kanu’s legal team and some mischievous elements among them have chosen to use fake news to mislead the public.”
The DSS, also accused a member of Kanu’s legal team of having an interest beyond getting justice for his client. Afunanya: ” It may interest the public to note that a particular lawyer among Kanu’s Team is feasting on the matter such that one can conclude that his interest is beyond getting justice for his client.”
Following is the Service’s reaction to the allegations of mistreatment of Kanu made by his Legal team.
“On IPOB and the alleged ill-treatment of its detained leader, the Service has, without any fear of contradiction, applied restraint in making public statements over the matter.
“The reason is simply because it avoids joining issues especially over a matter that is sub-judice. But for the sake of transparency and democratic accountability, the Service has decided to make some clarifications.
“It (the Service) denies all the inciting allegations by IPOB and states that:
*i. Nnamdi Kanu is not, in any way, maltreated in custody. Accusations of maltreatment negate the Service’s Standard Operation Procedure on the implementation of rights of a suspect;
*ii. Nnamdi Kanu enjoys full luxury in the holding facility incomparable to any of its type anywhere in the country. He is accorded full rights and privileges. He is never denied his right of worship or freedom from his select religious practice.
*iii. Adequate attention is paid to Kanu’s health. He has unhindered access to the best medical care and doctors. Kanu, himself, has confirmed to his visitors that the Service has never, in any way, maltreated him. He even confirmed this to the quartet of Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Nigeria and Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace and Ambassador Okechukwu Emuchay, MFR, Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who saw him on Wednesday, 8th December, 2021.
*iv. The story of Kanu being starved is fallacious. He could not have been starved as he enjoys meals of his choice. That he is not allowed change of clothing is also false. He is regularly allowed change of clothing as against what is presented to the public by IPOB propagandists. Assuming he is being maltreated, how come his visitors told him he was looking well? All the allegations of violation of his rights as a suspect, victimization and starvation among others are not true.
*v. It is unfortunate that some elements have decided to use outright misinformation to represent the state of affairs. Those who make these false stories do so to attract undue attention for the singular purpose of achieving a desired end. Rather than focus on how he should get justice, Kanu’s legal team and some mischievous elements among them have chosen to use fake news to mislead the public. While the Court in its wisdom ordered that Kanu be remanded in the safer DSS Custody, some of his legal representatives, for reasons best known to them, preferred Kuje Prison and have failed to explain the rationale for such choice.
*vi. It may interest the public to note that a particular lawyer among Kanu’s Team is feasting on the matter such that one can conclude that his interest is beyond getting justice for his client. Be that as it may, the Court has the final say on the matter.”
