Nnamdi Kanu hasn’t changed clothes in seven months, Justice Binta Nyako berates DSS

Justice Binta Nyako fumed: “I don’t want to see him (Nnamdi Kanu) in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white.

Nnamdi Kanu has been wearing the same clothes he was arrested with seven months ago, a safari suit. The judge handling his case, Binta Nyako, warned that the Department of State Services (DSS) should allow him to change clothes before his next court appearance.

Justice Binta Nyako says the Kanu, who is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be treated with some dignity by allowing him to change clothes, eat properly practice his faith.

Justice Binta Nyako had directed the DSS to allow the IPOB leader to have a bath whenever he wants to, change his clothes, eat properly and practise his faith, a ruling she reiterated again when she noticed that he has consistently worn the same clothes to court hearings.

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However, at the court session on Tuesday, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, complained that his client is still being subjected to poor treatment in DSS custody.

He said Kanu is still being kept in solitary confinement and that any other detainee who greets him is also kept in solitary confinement.

Shortly before adjourning the matter, Binta Nyako reminded the defendant that a detention facility is not a five-star hotel.

However, she reiterated her previous order that the IPOB leader should be allowed the maximum comfort possible, including changing his Fendi outfit with which he was brought back into the country in June 2021.

“I don’t want to see him in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Binta Justice Binta Nyako added.

In November last year, leaders of Ndigbo had pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to consider a political settlement for Nnamdi Kanu. Buhari said he would consider the request. But during an interview with Channels interview on January 5, backtracked, saying Kanu would face the full wrath of the law and answer to for his ‘abusive’ rhetoric against Nigeria.

“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became president, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the judiciary,” Buhari was quoted as telling the 93-year-old leader of the delegation Mbazulike Amaechi, in a statement by his spokesman Femi Adesina.

“God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

But In January, Buhari said Kanu will face the legal system, foreclosing any political settlement for the IPOB leader.