The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a one billion naira lawsuit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Nigerian Government and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice James Omotoso, in his ruling on Monday, dismissed the suit on the grounds that Kanu did not provide evidence to support his claim that his conversations with his lawyers were monitored by the DSS. The judge also noted that there was no proof that the DSS prevented Kanu’s lawyers from taking notes during their discussions with him.
Furthermore, Justice Omotoso highlighted that the allegations of denial of a fair hearing to Kanu’s legal team were unsubstantiated and lacked evidence.
The lawsuit, filed by Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, sought one billion naira in damages for the protection of Kanu’s fundamental rights while he was in detention.
In the motion dated December 4, 2023, Kanu requested the court to declare that the actions of the respondents in seizing and photocopying confidential legal documents related to his defense preparations, as delivered to him by his lawyers at the DSS facility, amounted to a violation of his right to legal representation of his choice.
Additionally, Kanu sought a declaration that the refusal or obstruction of his lawyers from taking notes during their professional consultations with him at the DSS detention facility constituted a denial of his right to adequate facilities for his defense by legal practitioners of his own choosing.
With the dismissal of the suit by Justice Omotoso for lacking merit, the legal battle over Kanu’s rights during his detention continues amid ongoing legal proceedings.
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