Saturday, October 26, 2024 –The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a summons for Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS), to appear before the court to explain why he should not face imprisonment for contempt.
The summons, signed by the court registrar, mandates Ajayi’s appearance,
directing him to “show cause why an order for your committal should not be
made.”
The court order stems from allegations that the DSS failed to comply
with a directive from Justice Binta Nyako, who previously ordered the agency to
allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), access to
his legal team three times a week. According to court records, the DSS has not
granted Kanu’s counsel any visitation since September 27, despite the
court-mandated schedule. This restriction, the court noted, has hindered the
preparation of Kanu’s defense, compromising his legal rights.
In response, on October 18, the court issued a “Form 48 Notice of
Consequences of Disobedience to the Order of Court,” warning Ajayi that further
non-compliance would constitute contempt and could result in imprisonment.
Kanu, who has been in DSS custody since his controversial extradition
from Kenya in 2021, is currently facing a seven-count charge, including
treasonable felony.
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