Court rejects Kanu’s plea for transfer to Kuje prison

The Justice Binta Nyako federal high court in Abuja on Monday rejected a plea from Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Kanu, through his lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had pleaded with the court to transfer him to Kuje correctional facility from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) where he is being held.

The fugitive extradited from Kenya was absent today at the resumed hearing where the judge rejected his plea to be transferred to the correctional center.

The secret police argued that his absence was based on logistics issues. Worried over the development, Mr Ejiofor who said he has tried severally but could not see his client in the last eight days said Mr Kanu was subjected to dehumanising conditions with no access to his lawyers and medical doctors while in the custody of the self-named Department of State Services (DSS).

“No, I am not transferring him to the correctional centre,” the judge said. “I am keeping him there (DSS custody) and I am going to make an order that you should be given access.

“But it is not going to be all comers’ affair; it will be regimented. You can’t get up at night and say you want to visit your client,” she added.