The federal high court in Abuja has dismissed an N50 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Gatekeepers News reports that the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022 was filed against federal government attorney-general of the federation (AGF) in 2022 for his over-extradition from Kenya to Nigeria.
Kanu asked the court to determine “whether the way and manner in which the plaintiff was abducted in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria is consistent with extant laws.”
He said his extradition violates the provisions of article 12 (4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratification and
enforcement) Act Cap A9 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and article/part 5 (a) of the African Charter’s principles and guidelines on human and peoples’ rights.
The detainee also prayed the court to determine whether or not he could legally face trial in Nigeria after his forceful rendition.
Kanu asked the court to order his release from custody of Department of State Services (DSS) and stop the government from continuing the trial in the criminal case marked FHC/ABJ/ CR/383/2015.
He also sought compensation of N50 billion as damages and N100 million as litigation costs.
However, in a notice of preliminary objection filed on June 27, 2022, federal government and AGF asked the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as “an abuse of court process.”
They said Kanu had already filed a similar case before the federal high court in Umuahia, Abia state, marked FHC/UM/CS/30/2022, with the same parties involved.
During Thursday’s hearing, no legal representatives were present for either party.
Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, noted that Kanu had repeatedly failed to appear with counsel in prior sessions, leading to delays in the proceedings.
Citing lack of diligent prosecution, the judge dismissed the case noting that there was no one in court to continue the matter.
