Nnamdi Kanu loses rights violation suit in Appeal Court
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the now convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu had challenged the violation of his fundamental rights by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The alleged human rights violation as filed by the IPOB leader included denial of adequate medical care, dignity of person and freedom of religion.
The court held that the appeal which lacked merit, had become a mere academic exercise following the recent conviction and life imprisonment sentence handed to Kanu by the Abuja High Court.
Justice Boloukuromo Ugo, delivering the lead judgement, said the claims of rights violations could no longer be entertained, since Kanu was no longer in DSS custody but in a correctional facility, adding that the plaintiff’s prayers had been overtaken by events due to his November 20 conviction.
The IPOB leader’s appeal was to challenge the July 3 judgment of retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit for lack of proof, with the AGF, the DSS Director-General, and the DSS as respondents.
Kanu had alleged in the original suit in December 2021, a deteriorated health while in DSS custody, claiming that his medical attendees were unqualified, with the DSS counsel, Idowu Awo, countering Kanu’s lawyer Maxwell Opara of being unable to present evidence proving the allegations.
Justice Taiwo held that the IPOB leader had not provided credible evidence of torture, inadequate medical care, or denial of religious freedom, thereby dismissing the suit for lack of merit, a decision which has now been upheld by the appellate court.
