The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), to appear before the court and explain why he should not face imprisonment for contempt.
There are allegations that the DSS failed to comply with Justice Binta Nyako’s directive, granting Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), access to his legal team three times a week.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his extradition from Kenya in 2021 and faces a seven-count charge, including treasonable felony.
Despite the court-ordered visitation schedule, Kanu’s counsel was denied access to their client since September 27, hindering defense preparations and compromising Kanu’s legal rights.
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. The court registrar’s summons directs Ajayi to “show cause why an order for your committal should not be made”.
