The family of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of deliberately preventing him from preparing his defence ahead of his next court appearance, scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2025.
In a statement issued Thursday night by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the family, they alleged that the DSS had made it “almost impossible” for the IPOB leader to access his lawyers, family members, and witnesses, in clear violation of his constitutional rights.
“The DSS has refused to allow him to file court documents needed for his case,” the statement read. “Due to these actions, 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 family detailed a series of alleged obstructions, including the secret police recording Kanu’s meetings with his lawyers, denying him access to a computer and printer, and refusing to take him to the court registry to file documents for his defence.
“These actions are in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and basic human rights,” the family said. “Every accused person has the right to facilities that enable them to prepare adequately and interact freely with their lawyers, family, and witnesses. The DSS is stopping Mazi Kanu from doing so.”
Describing the development as “unfair, unlawful, and intentional,” the family warned that the DSS and the Nigerian Government should be held accountable if Kanu is unable to attend court or present his defence.
“We are issuing this warning now before they start peddling propaganda that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is disrespectful to the court by declining to appear,” the statement added.
The family further appealed to the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Commonwealth, and global human rights groups to intervene and ensure Kanu’s right to a fair trial is protected.
Efforts to obtain a response from the DSS were unsuccessful, as personnel of the agency in Abia State declined to comment on the allegations.
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