A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government and the Department of State Services.
Justice James Omotoso ruled that Kanu failed to demonstrate that his discussion with his lawyers was bugged by the DSS or that his lawyers were prevented from taking notes from him during the encounter.
As a result, Justice Omotoso found no evidence to support Kanu’s argument that he was denied a fair hearing.
As a result, the court rejected the lawsuit because it lacked merit.
Kanu had filed the N1 billion complaint, FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights while in captivity.
The applicant filed an initiating application on December 4, 2023, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the DSS, and its DG as the first through fourth respondents, respectively.
The claim was filed under Order II, Rules 1 and 2 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, among other provisions.
In the motion, the detained IPOB leader prayed for, “a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence which were brought to him at the respondents’ detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.”
He further requested a declaration that the respondents’ act of rejecting or barring his counsel from taking notes on the counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him during DSS detention.
According to him, this constituted a violation of his right to proper facilities for the preparation of his defence by legal practitioners of his choosing.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
