…says health deteriorating

…case comes up today

For the umpteenth time, the Department of State Services has refused to allow the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to change his clothes, head of his legal team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor has said.

He also said that Kanu’s health status was gradually deteriorating due to poor medical treatment.

According to him, the IPOB leader has also expressed optimism that he would get justice in the case scheduled for Friday April 8 before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu is facing trial over alleged links with treasonable felony.

Ejiofor stated these in a statement issued on Thursday night after visiting his client in the custody of the DSS in Abuja.

He said, “Today (Thursday), our team of lawyers conducted the Court-Ordered routine visit to our indefatigable Client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the DSS Headquarters.

“The visit was to put finishing touches to the preparations for Friday’s all important court ruling on our application challenging the competence of the amended 15 counts filed by the prosecution.

“Onyendu was duly briefed on the pertinent matters incidental to the outing, as well as the suit filed on his behalf by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), our lead counsel on Onyendu’s case.

“The suit is requesting the court’s compelling interpretation of relevant Statutory provisions and international treaties/conventions, which the Federal Government of Nigeria grossly violated in their desperation to abduct, and forceful rendition of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria.

“Consistent with the usual practice of the DSS personnel, they have continued to rebuff every attempt at ensuring that Onyendu has a change of clothing. The lawless DSS personnel bluntly rejected all clothing brought by our client’s relatives, again, in clear violation of the extant orders of the court.

“In line with the court’s directives, we meticulously ensured that the new clothing met the specifications of the court, and consequently beat the DSS to their games, so that by Friday, they will have no excuse to give to the court for deliberately flouting the positive orders of the court.

“We also observed with dismay, as Onyendu’s impeccable account revealed, that he is not receiving proper medical attention in the custody of the DSS as his health condition is gradually deteriorating.

“This will be addressed in court, particularly in view of the DSS persistent contempt of the order of court directing them to allow Onyendu access to his private doctor for an independent medical examination to ascertain his current health condition. This is also a right guaranteed under the Anti-Torture Act.

“Onyendu is confident that justice will be done, and we are ever ready to promptly explore all permissible legal avenues to challenge any pronouncement not supported by law and decisions of superior courts, in the unlikely event that any of the counts still survived our legal arsenal.

“Onyendu, as usual, expresses his profound appreciation to Ezigbo Umuchineke who have remained resolute in their belief, focused  and confident that the days ahead are brighter, even in the face of every tribulation and adversaries.

“This phase too shall surely come to pass and soon, it shall end in praises. Victory is ours and there is no going back until victory is achieved.”