The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal High Court, Abuja, to ensure that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is granted full and unhindered access to fair hearing and the right to defend himself without restrictions.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned against any deliberate attempt by the DSS to limit Kanu’s access to his legal team or obstruct his ability to prepare his defence.
The rights group said it was disturbed by reports suggesting that the DSS had allegedly prevented Kanu from meeting privately with his lawyers and from accessing key legal materials necessary for his trial.
“It behoves the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, to ensure that the DSS is not impeding Nnamdi Kanu’s right to defend himself in an unfettered manner,” HURIWA stated. “Any move to deny him a fair hearing would constitute a gross violation of constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations.”
The group expressed concern over media speculation that the executive arm of government might be exerting pressure on the judiciary to influence the outcome of Kanu’s trial.
“Any attempt to predetermine a death or life sentence for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu simply for exercising his right to self-determination and freedom of expression would be unconstitutional and could trigger widespread unrest across the South-East,” the statement warned’
HURIWA’s statement followed allegations by Kanu’s family that the DSS had made it “almost impossible” for him to prepare his defence ahead of his scheduled court appearance on Friday, November 7, 2025.
In a separate statement signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the family claimed that the DSS had denied the IPOB leader access to his lawyers, family members, witnesses, and legal documents.
“The DSS has refused to allow him to file court documents, use a computer or printer for his case, or submit his defence materials at the court registry,” the family alleged. “These actions are in clear violation of his right to fair hearing.”
Efforts by journalists to obtain a reaction from the DSS were unsuccessful, as personnel of the service declined to comment.
HURIWA strongly condemned what it described as the “reported denial” of Kanu’s rights, urging the Federal High Court to compel the DSS to comply strictly with the Constitution and uphold the rule of law.
“We appeal to the Director-General of the DSS to ensure that his operatives respect the constitutional rights of the accused,” Onwubiko said. “Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty, while Section 6 vests judicial powers in the courts, not in the security agencies.”
The group maintained that Kanu must not be denied the right to mount a vigorous and unhindered defence against the charges filed by the Federal Government.
“The defendant, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must never be denied the full protection of the law,” HURIWA concluded.