Detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says he is being subjected to mental and psychological torture in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He is therefore praying the Federal High Court, Abuja to transfer him from DSS custody to the Kuje Custodial Centre, also in Abuja.
Kanu stated this in an application filed through his legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja remanded Kanu in DSS custody last month pending the continuation of his trial on July 26.
Kanu, who had jumped bail in 2017 while being tried before the court, was brought back to the country in a manner that has been shrouded in secrecy.
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In the application for transfer of the accused, Kanu’s legal team alleged that he has been “subjected to mental and psychological torture” by the secret police.
According to the team, it would be in the interest of justice for the court to order his transfer to the Nigerian Correctional Service centre, which he described as “an impartial facility that has no interest whatsoever” in the outcome of his trial.
Affidavits attached to support the application read in part “that an ECG examination was carried out on the defendant, and it was discovered that the defendant’s heart had been enlarged by more than 13%, posing a serious threat and danger to defendant’s life”.
“That the health personnel attending to the defendant in the custody of the State Security Service is not adequate, considering the circumstances of the defendant’s health condition.
“That the defendant requires the services of his medical experts as his medical records issued by the chief cardiologist of Nairobi Hospital, who has the defendant’s medical records, mainly, before the arrest/abduction of the Applicant shows a debilitating medical condition. Copies of these medical records showing the applicant’s subsisting health condition are hereby attached and marked as Exhibit MNK.
“That if the health condition of the defendant is not addressed most promptly, the defendant may die in custody, even before his trial,” it further read.
His legal team further argued that Kanu’s access to his lawyer was inadequate due to bottlenecks set up by the DSS.
Furthermore, the IPOB leader’s legal team said Kanu might not be granted fair trial if he continued to be kept in the custody of his accusers.