IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu files contempt charge against DSS DG

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a contempt charge against the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, for allegedly refusing to obey court orders.

Kanu, represented by his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, submitted the contempt charge on Monday at the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.

The application, titled “Notice to Show Cause Why An Order Of Committal Should Not Be Made,” was filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 on June 10.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the complainant/first respondent, Yusuf Magaji Bichi is listed as the second respondent/contemnor.

Kanu contempt charge claims that despite being served with the court orders issued by Justice Binta Nyako on May 20, Bichi has not complied with them.

These orders were issued during a hearing where Justice Nyako declined Kanu’s request to set aside the revocation of his 2017 bail and refused his transfer to Kuje Correctional Centre or house arrest.

However, the judge did adjust the visitation conditions for Kanu’s lawyers, increasing the allowed visitation days from two to three per week.

She also ordered that Kanu be provided with a safe and clean room for preparing his defence with up to five lawyers, instead of the previously allowed three.

Furthermore, the judge mandated that Kanu and his legal team have access to all necessary facilities for his defence preparation.

In his application, Kanu alleges that Bichi has failed to meet these requirements, citing non-compliance with the visitation schedule, inadequate preparation facilities, and interference with legal documents.

The application reads: “Take Notice that the Defendant will on the ____day of _______, 2024, at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court made on the 20th day of May 2024.”

It continues, highlighting specific failures, such as not providing the mandated three visitation days per week and not ensuring a safe and clean room for legal preparations.

The court document concludes by summoning Bichi to appear in court to explain why he should not be held in contempt for failing to follow the court’s orders.

“You have not complied with the 3 (three) days per week visitation to the Applicant as was ordered by the court.

“You have not provided a safe and ‘clean’ room to the Applicant at the present facility to prepare for his defence with his team of counsel.

“You have not allowed such facility that is required for the preparation of the Applicant’s defence, which facility you have disallowed on every visitation since the said order was entered, as set out below:

“Interdiction, seizure, perusal and photocopying of legal documents relating to the trial preparation of the Applicant.

“By not retracing your steps after you were, on the 31st day of May 2024, served with a Form 48; Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court.

“AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that you are hereby required to attend the court on the first-mentioned day to show cause why an Order for your Committal should not be made.”