Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Accuses DSS Of Blocking Fair Hearing Ahead Of Court Session
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has raised alarm over what it described as a deliberate attempt by the Department of State Services (DSS) to frustrate his preparation for defence in court.
In a statement issued Thursday night by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the family, they accused the DSS of blocking Kanu’s access to his lawyers, family members, and key witnesses, ahead of his crucial court appearance scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2025.
According to the statement, the DSS has refused to allow Kanu to file important court documents, denied him access to a computer and printer, and prevented him from submitting papers needed for his defence.
“In the last few days, the DSS has made it almost impossible for Mazi Kanu to have proper access to his lawyers, family members, and key witnesses. The DSS has also refused to allow him to file the court documents he needs for his case scheduled for Friday, November 7,” the family said.
The family warned that if Kanu fails to appear in court on Friday, it will not be due to defiance but a result of the DSS’s alleged obstruction.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu may not be able to appear in court on Friday, not because he does not want to, but because he has been denied the opportunity to prepare and defend himself,” the statement added.
The statement listed several ways the DSS is allegedly undermining Kanu’s constitutional rights, including recording private discussions with his lawyers, denying him materials for legal preparation, and stopping him from accessing the court registry.
“These actions are a clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution and basic human rights. Every accused person has the right to facilities to help them prepare adequately and interact freely with their lawyers, witnesses, and family members,” the family noted.
They described the DSS’s conduct as “unfair, unlawful, and intentional,” adding that it is part of a wider plan to weaken Kanu’s case.
The family warned that the security agency and the Federal Government should be held responsible if Kanu is absent in court or unable to defend himself.
“If Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot appear in court or defend himself, the DSS and the Nigerian Government should be held responsible. They are frustrating him by ignoring court orders and violating his rights,” the family stated.
Calling for global attention, the family urged international bodies and human rights organizations to intervene and pressure the Nigerian government to respect Kanu’s legal rights.
“We urge the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Commonwealth, and human rights groups to pay close attention to what is happening. The Nigerian Government cannot claim to follow the rule of law while silencing a defendant and blocking his right to a fair hearing,” the statement concluded.
