The Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed why Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, arrived in court wearing the same suit he has worn since June of last year.
On Wednesday, the DSS told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Kanu intended to wear a blouse with a lion heart embroidered on it, which the agency found offensive and against its policy.
Kanu has worn the same Fendi Suit in Justice Binta Nyako’s courtroom since his rearraignment in July 2021.
His lawyers had protested the breach of his rights in that regard on January 18, prompting the judge to order his counsel and family members to provide him with new clothing.
Despite her orders, Kanu showed up at the hearing on Wednesday dressed in the same outfit.
Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, claimed that Kanu’s younger brother and lawyer had gone three times with new clothes for him after the judge’s order, but that the DSS refused to collect the garments.
“The Director Legal Service told him (his lawyer) that he will do something about it to ensure that the orders were carried out. Till today, he has not been allowed to wear new clothes.” he said.
The judge asked the officer representing the Department of State Services why Kanu came in the same suit after the court’s business of the day (arguments on the motion challenging the competence of the 15-count indictment lodged against Kanu).
The IPOB leader insisted on wearing a blouse with the inscription “lion heart,” according to the official.
“The clothes they brought with lion heart offends our standard of operation,” he said.
Kanu will not be permitted to wear clothing that associates him with “something,” according to the judge.
“This defendant will not wear it in this my court, he will wear something nice,” she said to Kanu’s lawyers.
Ozekhome also advised Kanu to change into a different outfit.
Later, Justice Nyako inquired about Kanu’s clothing requirements, and the IPOB leader affirmed that he intended to wear “Isi Agwu,” a popular outfit.
The judge, on the other hand, told Kanu that she had been very accommodating and that he should wear whatever he wanted.
‘You can still wear this if you like,”she said.
In response to Ozekhome’s complaint in court about Kanu’s shattered and missing glasses, the judge ordered the DSS to make arrangements for someone to get him a new pair.
