Court Strikes Out Nnamdi Kanu’s N50bn Suit Against FG Over Alleged Abduction, Rights Violation

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N50 billion fundamental rights lawsuit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government.

Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the case on Thursday after observing repeated delays and a lack of representation from both Kanu and the Federal Government.

The judge noted that at the previous sitting, only the government was represented in court, while Kanu had no legal counsel present.

With no party appearing at the latest hearing and three prior adjournments for the same issue, the court decided to terminate the case.

Kanu had filed the suit—marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022—accusing the government of violating his fundamental rights through his alleged abduction in Kenya and unlawful rendition to Nigeria.

He urged the court to determine if the circumstances of his return were consistent with both Nigerian and international laws, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He also challenged the legality of continuing his trial based on charges he claims were not part of his extradition, citing Section 15 of the Extradition Act.

The IPOB leader sought 11 different reliefs, including an order halting his ongoing criminal trial before Justice Binta Nyako and his release from the custody of the Department of State Services. He also demanded N100 million in damages to cover the cost of the suit.

However, the Federal Government objected to the case, filing a preliminary objection in June 2022.

The government argued that the Abuja court lacked jurisdiction since Kanu had already filed a similar case before the Federal High Court in Umuahia under suit FHC/UM/CS/30/2022, involving the same parties and issues. They called the new suit an “abuse of court process.”

Kanu’s legal team had experienced some reshuffling, with Aloy Ejimakor filing a notice to take over from Chief Mike Ozekhome, who originally initiated the suit in April 2022.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the case now stands dismissed due to procedural lapses and absenteeism in court.