The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ruled against Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in his lawsuit seeking N1 billion in damages for alleged human rights violations.
Kanu had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Services, seeking N1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations.
The IPOB leader, in the suit marked FHC/CS/1633/2023, said the DSS and its Director General violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal trial.
In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho dismissed Kanu’s claims, stating that he failed to provide substantial and credible evidence to support his allegations.
These allegations included claims of tampering with his communications with his lawyers, denial of unrestricted access to legal counsel, and unlawful monitoring of his conversations with lawyers by DSS officials, which he argued violated his right to a fair trial.
Justice Benson Anya had ruled that the invasion of the military operatives on Kanu’s residence at Isiama, Afaraukwu Ibeku, Abia State, on September 10, 2017 was, “illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement” on his “right to life, dignity of his person, his personal liberty and fair hearing.”
Anya further ruled that the Nigerian Government should offer to Kanu “an official letter of apology in three national dailies” and “the sum of N1billion”
He also ordered, “That the first respondent is urged to show commitment to a peaceful resolution of the matter.”
