The State Security Service (SSS) says IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu lives in luxury in its dungeon, denying the allegation of starving and maltreating him.

“Nnamdi Kanu enjoys full luxury in the holding facility incomparable to any of its type anywhere in the country. He is accorded full rights and privileges. He is never denied his right of worship or freedom from his select religious practice,” SSS said in a statement.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Mr Kanu’s lead counsel, had, on December 2, during an emergency hearing, informed the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court of the poor state of his client. He sought the court’s order to compel SSS to give Mr Kanu better accommodation.

According to him, Kanu was starved and kept in a tiny room and not allowed to practise his Jewish religion in the SSS facility. 

Mr Ejiofor also disclosed that the IPOB leader was denied a change of cloths, validating concerns his court appearance was always in a signature white Fendi outfit since he was illegally arrested and brought to Nigeria from Kenya.

However, SSS refuted the claims saying, “Nnamdi Kanu is not, in any way, maltreated in custody,” as that would “negate the service’s standard operating procedure on the implementation of rights of a suspect.”

The security outfit described claims of Mr Kanu’s starvation as “fallacious,” noting that “he enjoys meals of his choice.” 

“That he is not allowed change of clothing is also false. He is regularly allowed change of clothing as against what is presented to the public by IPOB propagandists,” added the SSS. “Assuming he is being maltreated, how come his visitors told him he was looking well? All the allegations of violation of his rights as a suspect, victimisation and starvation, among others, are not true.”

It further claimed that adequate attention “is paid to Kanu’s health.” 

“He has unhindered access to the best medical care and doctors. Kanu, himself, has confirmed to his visitors that the Service has never, in any way, maltreated him,” explained the SSS statement. “He even confirmed this to the quartet of Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Nigeria and Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace and Ambassador Okechukwu Emuchay, MFR, Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who saw him on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.”