Nnamdi Kanu: Concerned Nigerians reproves ‘unlawful’ blockade of Court by security agencies

Concerned Nigerians, a Human Rights, Social Justice and Anti-Corruption group has reproved the action of the Nigerian security agencies to debar the general public access to the court premises during the trial of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group in a letter signed by its convener, Deji Adeyanju, and addressed to the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police said; “We write, with great sadness, to draw your attention to the reoccurring and unlawful blockage of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by security agencies, particularly officers from the State Security Services, anytime Nnamdi Kanu’s case or other “high profile” cases come up for trial, as was observed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 21, 2021, when Nnamdi Kanu’s case came up for trial”.

In the letter dated October 22, 2021, Concerned Nigerians added; “You may note that section 36(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, clearly provides that the court room shall be accessible to members of the public.

“However, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, your officers have developed the habit blocking all access to the court courtroom, during the so “high profile” cases, thereby denying members of the public, including lawyers and litigants, access to the court room”.

Kindly be reminded that despite the deteriorating state of our constitutional democracy, we are still under a civilian rule where the Constitution reigns supreme over all persons and institutions. It is on the basis of the foregoing that we send you this timely reminder, urging you to direct your officers to desist from further desecrating or blocking access to our Courts, which remains one of the symbols of our democracy.

“Please accept our professional regards while we urge you to protect our democracy”.

The letter copied the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, National Security Adviser, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.