The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday barred Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) form wearing an outfit popular in the South-East geo-political zone.
The attire, popular in the Igbo predominant area, has an insignia of a lion headed printed all over it. The dress is mostly worn by their politicians and members of socio-cultural organizations.
Even President Muhammadu Buhari has adorned the dress often times with the recent one during his visit to Imo State last year. The trouser he wore with the dress during the September 2021 visit triggered reactions with many Nigerians calling for the sack of the tailor that sewed it.
At the court sitting on Wednesday, the secret police told Justice Binta Nyako that the secessionist leader will not be allowed to wear the attire brought to him by his family members which he has insisted on wearing.
This was after Mike Ozekhome, the lead counsel to Mr Kanu, drew the attention of the judge who has severally ordered the SSS to ensure the secessionist does not appear in the same clothes he has been appearing on since he was mysteriously renditioned back to the country last year from Kenya to face charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.
The lawyer of the SSS whose name could not be ascertained as at press time argued that it was against the standard operating procedures of the secret police for Mr Kanu to appear on such dress popularly called “Isi Agu.”
“My Lord, clothes that were brought for the defendant had lion’s head embroiled on them, and the defendant (Mr Kanu) can’t wear clothes with a lion’s head,” he said.
When asked by the judge on what he prefers to wear, Kanu responded, “I want to wear the clothes of my people,”Isi Agu.”
Mr Ozekhome also told the court that his client was loosing his sight.
“My lord, since 2015, his glasses were taken from him,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria “SAN) said. “The one he wore before his extraordinary rendition from Kenya was also taken from him.
“Till now, he does not have glasses to wear and his sight is deteriorating.
“My Lord we do not want the Defendant to go blind, that is why we have decided to bring it to the attention of the court,” he added.
Justice Nyako promised to look into the matter and adjourned the case to April 8.
