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).
In his ruling, Justice Omotoso stated that Kanu failed to provide evidence that the DSS had bugged his conversations with his lawyers or prevented his lawyers from taking notes during their meetings.
The judge concluded that there was no proof that Kanu was denied a fair hearing, as he claimed in his suit.
Kanu had filed the lawsuit through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, seeking N1 billion in damages for what he alleged were violations of his fundamental rights while in detention.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, named the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), DSS, and its Director-General as respondents.
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The motion, filed on December 4, 2023, cited the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules of 2009.
Kanu argued that the DSS’s seizure and photocopying of his confidential legal documents, which his lawyers had brought to him, amounted to a denial of his right to be defended by legal practitioners of his choice.
He also claimed that the DSS’s actions in preventing his counsel from taking notes during their consultations hindered his ability to prepare his defense adequately.
However, the court found no merit in Kanu’s claims and dismissed the suit. Justice Omotoso emphasized the lack of evidence to support Kanu’s allegations, leading to the decision to reject his case.
