The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a ₦50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government over his alleged abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice Inyang Ekwo cited lack of diligent prosecution as the reason for the dismissal.
“This matter has suffered three adjournments without the plaintiff’s legal representation,” Justice Ekwo said.
“The court cannot permit proceedings to drag endlessly.”
Neither Kanu’s lawyers nor representatives of the Federal Government were present in court when the matter was called.
SUIT DATES BACK TO 2022
Originally filed in April 2022, the suit (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022) named the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.
Kanu argued that his rendition violated both international and Nigerian law, citing Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Section 15 of Nigeria’s Extradition Act.
He sought 11 major reliefs, including:
A court declaration that his rendition was unlawful
An order for his immediate release from SSS custody
A halt to his ongoing trial under charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015
₦50 billion in damages and ₦100 million in legal costs
FG FIRES BACK, CALLS CASE AN “ABUSE OF PROCESS”
In a preliminary objection filed on June 27, 2022, the Federal Government asked the court to dismiss the suit, calling it a duplicate of an earlier case filed in Umuahia, Abia State.
“The facts and parties in both suits are the same,” the government argued.
“This Abuja case is incompetent and strips the court of jurisdiction.”
SWITCH IN LEGAL TEAM ADDED TO DELAYS
During an earlier hearing, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, notified the court of a change of counsel, stating he was taking over from Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who initially filed the suit.
But with repeated no-shows and no further action, the court brought the legal battle to a close — at least for now.
