The Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice James Omotosho, has dismissed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government. Kanu, represented by his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, had filed the suit against the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Minister of Justice, as well as the Department of State Services (DSS) and its Director General.
In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, filed on December 4, 2023, Kanu sought various reliefs, including a declaration that the seizure and copying of confidential legal documents by the respondents at the DSS detention facility amounted to a denial of his rights to legal defense by his chosen lawyers. He also contested that the prevention of his counsel from taking notes during consultations was unlawful.
In his judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu did not provide sufficient credible evidence to support his claims of rights violations by the defendants. The court specifically noted the lack of evidence supporting Kanu’s allegations that DSS operatives obstructed his access to legal counsel or eavesdropped on his discussions with lawyers preparing his defense.
Kanu had additionally requested the court to declare the eavesdropping on his confidential consultations with lawyers as a further infringement of his rights, and sought injunctions against the respondents from seizing or copying his legal documents, along with N1 billion in damages for the emotional and psychological toll from the alleged breaches.
However, Justice Omotosho’s decision was based on the failure of Kanu to substantiate his claims with credible evidence, thereby leading to the dismissal of his suit against the Federal Government and related agencies.
