Deji Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerian, has raised an alarm over the blockade of roads around courts during trials of Nnamdi Kanu, pro-Biafra agitator, and “high profile” cases by security agents.
Adeyanju said relevant agencies should stop operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, from blocking roads and access to courts during the trial of Kanu and other “high profile” cases.
He said the blockade of roads and entrances around courts during the trial of Kanu and other “high profile” cases is unlawful.
Adeyanju made the remark in a letter to the Director-General of DSS, Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The letter, dated October 22, 2021, signed by Adeyanju, was titled: “Nnamdi Kanu: Unlawful Blockade of the Federal High Court by Security Agencies.”
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The letter reads: “We write, with great sadness, to draw your attention to the reoccurring and unlawful blockade of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by security agencies, particularly officers from the State Security Services, anytime Nnamdi Kanu’s case or other “high profile” cases comes up for trial, as was observed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on October 21, 2021 when Nnamdi Kanu’s case came up for trial.
You may note that section 36(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, clearly provides that the courtroom shall be accessible to members of the public.
“However, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, your officers have developed the habit of blocking all access to the court courtroom during the so “high profile” cases, thereby denying members of the public, including lawyers and litigants, access to the courtroom.
“Kindly be reminded that despite the deteriorating state of our constitutional democracy, we are still under a civilian rule where the Constitution reigns supreme over all persons and institutions. It is on the basis of the foregoing that we send you this timely reminder, urging you to direct your officers to desist from further desecrating or blocking access to our Courts, which remains one of the symbols of our democracy.”
