The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has thrown out a fundamental human rights lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government.
Kanu sought N1 billion in damages from the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging they had violated his rights.
The case, numbered FHC/CS/1633/2023, contended that the DSS and its Director General had impeded Kanu’s right to a fair hearing by restricting his lawyers’ access to him during his detention, which Kanu claimed was crucial for his defense in his criminal proceedings.
Justice Omotosho, in his judgment, ruled that Kanu did not present sufficient evidence to back his claims.
The court concluded there was no compelling proof that Kanu’s interactions with his lawyers were hindered, that he was denied open access to his legal team, or that DSS officials had eavesdropped on his discussions with his attorneys, actions that would have violated his right to a fair hearing.
