Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS). The judge ruled that Kanu failed to provide evidence showing that his conversations with his lawyers were bugged by the DSS or that his lawyers were prevented from taking notes during their meetings.
Justice Omotoso concluded that there was no proof that Kanu was denied a fair hearing, as alleged in his suit. Consequently, the court dismissed the suit for lacking merit.
Kanu, represented by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had filed the N1 billion suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023 for the enforcement of his fundamental rights while in detention. The suit named the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the DSS, and its Director-General as the 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.
The suit, filed on December 4, 2023, sought a declaration that the respondents’ seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to Kanu by his lawyers constituted a denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his choice. Kanu also sought a declaration that preventing his counsel from taking notes during professional consultations with him amounted to a denial of his right to adequate facilities for preparing his defense.
Justice Omotoso, however, found no evidence to support these claims and dismissed the suit accordingly.
