Abuja, Nigeria — November 6, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
The family of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) is deliberately preventing him from preparing his legal defence — a move they say could result in his non-appearance in court on Friday, 7 November 2025.
In a statement issued Thursday night by Price Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the family, they claim Kanu has been denied crucial access which would allow him file necessary court documents for his case scheduled for Friday. They say the DSS has:
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blocked his access to lawyers, family members and key witnesses;
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refused to allow him to use a computer and printer needed for preparation;
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declined to take him to the court registry to submit his defence documents.
“In the last few days, the DSS has made it almost impossible for Mazi Kanu to have proper access to his lawyers, family members, and key witnesses. … The DSS has also refused to allow him to file the court documents he needs for his case, which is scheduled for Friday.” — Family statement
The family argues that the interference and denial of access are violations of Kanu’s constitutional rights to a fair hearing, and warn that if he fails to appear in court it will not be by his choice but due to deliberate obstruction. They appealed to the international community — including the United Nations, African Union, European Union and human-rights groups — to monitor the situation closely.
Efforts to obtain a response from the DSS regarding the allegations were unsuccessful. A spokesman in Abia State declined to comment when contacted.