DSS Denies American Lawyer, British Consul And Anambra Former Governor Ezeife Access To Nnamdi Kanu

In a related development, the lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied the British Consul as well as former Anambra State governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, access to his client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

This act, according to Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, was a violation of an existing court order. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, he said the order expanded the number of persons that could visit Nnamdi Kanu on any of the designated days scheduled for his routine visit.

He said the court further clarified that the persons to visit their client were no longer restricted to his lawyers and family members but any other person of his choice.

The statement by Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor reads; “Today’s routine visit to our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu could not hold because the detaining authority, that is the DSS deliberately denied British Consul as well as former Anambra State governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife access to our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

“Recall that the Honorable Court in charge of this case had on the 21st Day of October, 2021 expanded the number of persons that could visit Our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on any of the designated days scheduled for his routine visit.

“The Honorable Court proceeded to Order in His Ruling that henceforth, three persons of our Client’s choice should be allowed to visit him.

“His Lordship further clarified that the persons to visit Our Client are no longer restricted to his lawyers and family members but, Any Other Person of Our Client’s choice.

“In line with this Order of Court, we forwarded the list of names scheduled to visit Our Client on Monday, 25th October, 2021, which included Attorney Bruce Fein – our Client’s International Attorney and Legal Representative in the United States of America.

“Attorney Fein arrived Nigeria from the United States of America to witness the Court proceedings of the 21st Day of October, 2021, and also utilize the opportunity of the visit to interface with his Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Unknown to us, a rude shock awaited us at the DSS. Upon arrival at the DSS Headquarters on Monday, 25th October, 2021, for the scheduled routine visit, the detaining authority, that is the DSS did not stop at keeping us waiting for over two hours, but thereafter specifically told us that no foreigner, including Bruce Fein, would be allowed to visit Our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and as such, he would not participate in the visit.

“The renowned International Constitutional Human Rights lawyer was not only disappointed with the Authority concerned, but was shocked at the brazen manner in which the Nigerian Court Orders are flouted with impunity by those whose primary mandate is to protect and preserve these Laws and maintain Order.

“Attorney Bruce Fein consequently left the premises of the DSS visibly broken. Apparently, he has gathered enough to feed the International Community upon his return to the United States.

“Today was the turn of the British Consul to experience what the civilized society may refer to as the height of abnormality in the system. The innocent woman who flew all the way from Lagos on this special diplomatic engagement was denied access to Our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and told that she is not welcomed for the visit because she is a foreigner.

“His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife who was denied access to the Court room at the last Court sitting was also denied access to our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today without offering any reasons. This is the highest height of impunity indeed!

“It is important to point out here that the Order of Court with regard to the number of persons and class of persons allowed to visit our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Never Restricted Them To Nigerians Only.

“It is more so that this clarification was made by His Lordship, following our specific complaint to the Court that Attorney Bruce Fein was not only denied access to our Client on two occasions at the DSS Headquarters, but was not allowed inside the court room on 21st October, 2021.

“If His Lordship’s intention was to restrict foreigners from visiting our Client, the Court would have simply made it clear while responding to our application for clarification.

“Though we have promptly filed another application for the transfer of Our Client to the correctional centre predicated on entirely new set of facts, it is now crystal clear to the World that if the DSS is allowed to remain the custodian of our Client, there shall certainly be gross denial of fair hearing and fair trial in these proceedings.

“We will equally be initiating contempt proceeding against the Head of the DSS for this gross violation of Court Order. Order of the Court must be obeyed regardless of the status of the persons involved or the Agency affected by the Order.

“Even though the DSS has a history of flouting Court Orders with impunity, we will pursue for the Court to step in, in this case and protect the sanctity of its Orders. Enough is enough!

“We shall leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this weighty infraction of the positive Order of Court and by extension, gross violation of our Client’s right is addressed without further ado.

“We still appeal to our Client’s millions of followers all over the world to remain calm as we explore all legal remedies available to our Client in the circumstance of this breach.

“Your prayers and supplications should be intensified in times like this, and please do not lose focus Umu Chineke because the enemies are really at work. But be assured that it will all end in Praises. Thank you all and remain hugely blessed Umu Chineke,” Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor concluded.

However, Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, did not respond to an enquiry by Journalists on the matter at the time of filing this report.