Abuja — Members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were yesterday rejected by the Keffi prison, claiming that it could no longer keep custody of the inmates because of congestion.

Government consel, Salek Barkum told the court that a letter to that effect was written to the government and the court informing the authority to relocate them as the facilities presently at the Keffi prison could not meet the need of the inmates.

But counsel to the accused persons, Donald Ariku and Val Ikeonu said they were surprised about the development and wondered why a copy of the letter was not served on them.

They said it was even disturbing that the state security services were informed about the situation "and that was why they brought vehicles to pack our clients," thereby raising alarm about the ploy to move the accused persons from Keffi prison.

Two prison centres in Kuje and Koto Karfi or the SSS office were however suggested to take custody of the accused but lawyers to the accused expressed displeasure that their clients were unsafe in the custody of the security operatives and that in a matter in which their clients were being tried, prison was the appropriate place recognised by law. The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako asked the official of the prison to find out which of the prisons around could take the accused and adjourned hearing till Sept. 18 this year.