Ejiofor Replies DSS: Nnamdi Kanu Not Living Luxurious Life In Detention

The lead counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of psychologically and mentally torturing the agitator in its detention.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that IPOB and Kanu’s family had accused the secret agency of maltreating the separatist leader and denying him food in its custody.

They also accused the secret police of denying the IPOB leader his medical report after taking his blood more than 21 times and not allowing him to change his clothes.

But speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said contrary to claims by IPOB and Kanu’s lawyers, the Biafra agitator enjoys the best treatment and maximum comfort in its custody.

Afunanya stated that the IPOB leader also enjoys full rights as ordered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He, therefore, asked Nigerians to disregard IPOB claims, saying that Kanu enjoys his rights of worship or freedom from his religious practice.

Reacting to the DSS in a fresh statement on Wednesday, Ejiofor stated that Afunanya’s press conference was filled with falsehood.

He accused the DSS of deliberately refusing to speak on the fact that the IPOB leader is placed on 23-hour solitary confinement.

According to Ejiofor: “From Afunanya’s analysis, it is evident that he is not even familiar with the extant provisions of the Anti-Torture Act 2017, a law every law enforcement official/personnel have sworn to protect.

“Our Client, Nnamdi Kanu need not be subjected to daily beatings and flogging by the personnel of the DSS before he can be qualified as being tortured – No!

“Section 2(b)(iv) of the Anti-Torture Act 2017, defined torture to include: “(b) Mental or psychological torture, which is understood as referring to such cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment calculated to affect or confuse the mind or undermine a person’s dignity and morale, such as- … (iv) Confinement in solitary cells against their will or without prejudice to their security.

“Section 8(1) of the Anti-Torture Act 2017 provides as follows: “A person who contravenes section 2 of this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 25 years.”

Ejiofor added: “We were unable to find in any place throughout his statement where Mr. Afunanya clearly denied the fact that our Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not subjected to 23 hours daily solitary confinement. In his desperate effort to deny the obvious, Afunanya stated that our Client is allowed the opportunity of daily changing of his clothes. This is a blatant falsehood!”

The IPOB lawyer stated that Nigerians can attest that Kanu has been wearing the Fendi outfit he wore during his rearrest in Kenya.

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