The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a summons for Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), to appear before the court to explain why he should not face imprisonment for contempt.
The summons, signed by the court registrar, mandates Ajayi’s appearance, directing him to “show cause why an order for your committal should not be made.”
The court order stems from allegations that the DSS failed to comply with a directive from Justice Binta Nyako, who previously ordered the agency to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), access to his legal team three times a week. According to court records, the DSS has not granted Kanu’s counsel any visitation since September 27, despite the court-mandated schedule. This restriction, the court noted, has hindered the preparation of Kanu’s defense, compromising his legal rights.
In response, on October 18, the court issued a “Form 48 Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to the Order of Court,” warning Ajayi that further non-compliance would constitute contempt and could result in imprisonment.
Kanu, who has been in DSS custody since his controversial extradition from Kenya in 2021, is currently facing a seven-count charge, including treasonable felony.