The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over claims of unlawful rendition from Kenya and human rights violations.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the ruling on Thursday, April 10, citing the absence of all parties from the proceedings and a lack of effort in pushing the case forward.
The court noted that Kanu and his legal team had repeatedly failed to appear or make progress, even during earlier sessions when the Federal Government was represented.
The lawsuit, tagged FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, was filed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney General, with Kanu alleging that his forceful transfer to Nigeria breached both national and international legal standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He had sought several declarations, including his immediate release from DSS custody, a halt to his ongoing criminal trial (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015), and N100 million in damages.
Kanu also contested the legality of the charges against him, arguing they differed from any offenses for which he was allegedly surrendered.
The Federal Government, however, objected to the suit, pointing out that Kanu had initiated a similar case in the Federal High Court in Umuahia (FHC/UM/CS/30/2022), involving the same issues and parties.
This, according to the government, deprived the Abuja court of jurisdiction.
Although Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had filed a notice to replace the initial counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the matter never gained traction. With the dismissal, Kanu’s pursuit of redress through this particular lawsuit has come to an end.