A Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a N50 billion rights violation suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government for lack of diligent prosecution. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the case could not proceed as both parties failed to appear in court repeatedly, with the absence of Kanu’s legal representation noted in the last three sittings. The suit, filed in 2022, challenged Kanu’s alleged abduction from Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, citing violations of local and international laws.
In an open letter, Kanu decried the judicial and executive actions taken against him since his 2021 rendition, accusing the government of manipulating court processes to prolong his detention unjustly. He highlighted previous court rulings in his favor, including judgments from the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal that declared his detention unconstitutional and condemned the government’s disobedience to court orders. Kanu also questioned the impartiality of the judiciary, alleging collusion between government officials and judges to deny him a fair trial.
Kanu’s suit sought multiple reliefs, including his release from DSS custody, cessation of prosecution under specific charges, and a declaration that his rendition violated the law. The Federal Government countered the case with a preliminary objection, arguing that it was duplicative of an earlier suit in Umuahia and constituted an abuse of court process. Amid legal reshuffling and procedural delays—including a change of counsel from Chief Mike Ozekhome to Aloy Ejimakor—the case ultimately failed to move forward, resulting in its dismissal.
