TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) against further delays in a suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Binta Nyako, presiding judge, gave the warning after Idowu Awo, DSS counsel, made an oral application seeking an extension of time to respond to a further affidavit served on him by Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome.

Kanu had sued the DSS and its director-general as the first and second respondents in the matter.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 2341/2022, Kanu prayed the court for leave to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the DSS to allow him to have unhindered access to his medical doctor, among others.

On February 1, the court granted leave to the IPOB leader to apply for an order of mandamus.

Reacting to the suit in a preliminary objection, the DSS urged the court to dismiss the suit for want 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 been delivered by Taiwo Taiwo, another judge.

The secret police added that Kanu has also filed an appeal against the judgment delivered on June 3, 2022.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Ozekhome informed the court that he had responded to the DSS 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. 

“I will not allow this case to be truncated in the next adjourned date. There must be an end to the exchange of processes,” she said.

The judge adjourned the matter until May 22 for a hearing.