The Department of State Services (DSS) says it cannot allow
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to wear clothes
with an insignia of a lion’s head.
The contentious outfit is known as ‘isi agu’ in south-east
Nigeria. It is a traditional garb that is usually worn on special occasions.
Previously, Binta Nyako, judge of a federal high court in
Abuja, had directed the DSS to allow the IPOB leader to have a bath whenever he
wants, change his clothes, eat properly and practice his faith.
However, Shuaibu Labaran, counsel representing the federal
government, told the court on the last adjourned date that Kanu insists on
wearing the same outfit to court because it is designer.
At the commencement of trial on Wednesday, Mike Ozekhome,
Kanu’s counsel, complained that despite an express order of the court, his
client was yet to have a change of clothing.
He said the DSS stopped the defendant from receiving new
clothes that were brought for him.
“My lord will still see the defendant in the same uniform
which my lord warned against in the last proceedings,” he said.
“It will be recalled
that they had on that day, alleged that he said that he preferred to wear the
same cloth because it is a designer.
“However, since that time, the younger brother of the
defendant, his lawyer and sister have gone three times with materials for him
to change but they refused to collect them.
“So bad was it that Ejiofor had to call the director of
legal services and complained to him. the director told him that he would do
something about it, that he would contact the director of operations to ensure
that the order was carried out.
“But since then, nothing has been done. They have not
allowed him to change his clothes.”
‘I WANT TO WEAR CLOTH OF MY PEOPLE’
Responding, an official of the DSS told the court that the
clothes were rejected because they contained an insignia that is associated
with IPOB.
“My lord, I have been on the issue of his clothing for quite
some time now. The issue was that they brought clothes with lion’s head,” he
said.
“We looked at the clothes and said no, that this is why we
are in court and it offends our standard of operation.
“As at the time he
was arrested, there was a bag that he had with him. When we brought that bag to
him, he looked at clothes inside it and said he does not want them.”
The judge, while admitting that she also owns a similar
attire, however, stressed that she would not allow Kanu to wear it to court.
“The defendant will not wear it in this my court, he can
wear it any other place, but not inside this my court,” she said.
The trial judge turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, and
asked him what kind of cloth he wanted.
“I want to wear the
cloth of my people which is Isi Agu,” Kanu replied.
“No, you will not wear it,” the judge countered him.
“But I can’t understand why I cannot wear it,” Kanu
responded.
Nyako said he would allow Kanu to wear plain clothes or
retain his present outfit if he so wishes.
‘KANU’S SIGHT IS
DETERIORATING’
Ozekhome also told the court that the eyesight of his client
is deteriorating, noting that Kanu’s glasses were seized and broken when he was
arrested.
In response, Nyako directed the DSS to provide him with an
eyeglass.
“Find his glasses and make them available to him. If you
cannot find that one, get him another one,” Nyako said.
“Someone like me, when we do not wear our glasses for long,
our sight begins to blur.
“So, by the next adjourned date, make sure you get him his
glasses.”
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