Jonathan Nwokpor
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, filed a one billion naira lawsuit against the Nigerian government and the Department of State Services (DSS), which was dismissed by the Abuja Federal High Court on Monday.
Judge James Omotoso ruled that Kanu had not produced any proof that the DSS had recorded his talks with his attorneys.
The judge stated that Kanu’s attorneys had also neglected to demonstrate that the DSS had prevented them from taking notes during their meetings with him.
Omotoso said that there was no proof to support the suit’s assertion that Kanu’s attorneys were not given a fair hearing.
As a result, the judge rejected the lawsuit due to its lack of merit.
The IPOB leader requested one billion naira in the lawsuit filed by his attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023, in order to have his fundamental rights upheld while he was being held in custody.
The applicant sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the DSS, and its Director-General as the first through fourth respondents, respectively, in the initial motion, which was dated and filed on December 4, 2023.
In accordance with Order II, Rules 1 and 2 of the 2009 Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, among other provisions, the lawsuit was filed.
The detained IPOB leader filed a motion seeking a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcibly obtaining and photocopying private legal documents that were handed to him at the respondents’ detention facility and were necessary for the preparation of his defence by his lawyers, amounted to a denial of his right to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.
In addition, he requested a declaration that the respondents’ refusal to allow his counsel to take notes during professional discussions or consultations with him while he was being held by the DSS amounted to a denial of his right to be provided with sufficient facilities so that he could prepare his defence with attorneys of his choosing.
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