A federal high court in Abuja has invited Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the department of state services (DSS), to explain why he should not be imprisoned for contempt.
A notice issued on Thursday and signed by the court registrar states: “…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.”
The court noted that the DSS failed to comply with an order from Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, which directed that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be allowed access to his legal team three times a week.
“You have since 27th September 2024 to date not allowed applicant’s counsel to have any visitation with him,” the notice read.
“On account of the above, you have thus not complied with the 3 (three) days per week visitation to the applicant as was ordered by the court.
“By blocking counsel visitation to the applicant, you have thus not allowed such facility that is required for the preparation of the applicant’s defence.”
On October 18, the court issued a “form 48 notice of consequences of disobedience to the order of court” against the DSS director-general.
The notice warned the DSS boss that he would be guilty of contempt of court and could face imprisonment if he disobeyed the court-ordered visitations.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his re-arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.
He is currently on trial for a seven-count charge related to treasonable felony.
