The Department of State Security (DSS) has finally permitted Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to have access to his legal team, marking a significant development in his ongoing legal battles. The DSS, led by Director-General Adeola Ajayi, has faced repeated accusations of blocking Kanu’s legal team from meeting with him, despite a May 2023 court directive mandating three weekly visits.
Since his arrest and extradition from Kenya in June 2021, Kanu has been held in custody on terrorism charges. His detention has sparked numerous protests from his defense team, led by special counsel Aloy Ejimakor, who criticized the DSS for obstructing court-ordered access. The DSS’s consistent denials prompted Justice Binta Nyako to summon Ajayi to court in October 2024, with a warning that continued restrictions could result in legal consequences for the DSS leadership.
The recent breakthrough follows the intervention of Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas and Abia State Representative Obi Aguocha, who visited Kanu in detention. Their visit reportedly facilitated a "political compromise," ultimately easing the restrictions on Kanu's legal visits.
On Monday, Ejimakor confirmed via social media that his team had successfully met with Kanu, their first access since late September. This meeting, authorized by the DSS Director-General, was attended by Ndidi Awurum, a U.S.-based Nigerian and supporter of Kanu.
The decision to permit legal access marks a pivotal moment in Kanu's detention saga and has sparked reactions from supporters and the broader legal community, who view it as a step toward ensuring Kanu’s right to fair legal representation.
