A federal high court in Abuja has issued a warning to the Department of State Services (DSS) against further delays in a suit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, gave the warning after the DSS sought an extension of time to respond to a further affidavit served on them by Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome.
Kanu had filed a suit against the DSS and its director-general as the first and second respondents in the matter, seeking leave to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the DSS to allow him unhindered access to his medical doctor, among others.
The court had earlier granted him leave to apply for an order of mandamus on February 1.
Reacting to the suit in a preliminary objection, the DSS had urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
The security service submitted that the issue in the case was similar to a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021, in which judgement has already been delivered by Taiwo Taiwo, another judge.
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The DSS further noted that Kanu has already filed an appeal against the judgment delivered on June 3, 2022.
At the resumed hearing, Ozekhome informed the court that he had responded to the DSS’s notice of preliminary objection.
After the DSS counsel applied for an order for the extension of time to file processes, Ozekhome prayed for a consequential order deeming their further affidavit as duly filed. The court granted both requests.
Delivering a short ruling, Nyako said she would not tolerate any act that might delay proceedings and adjourned the matter until May 22 for a hearing.
