On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja 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).
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Justice James Omotosho, delivering the judgment, stated that Kanu failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of fundamental rights violations by the defendants.
Kanu had alleged that the DSS denied him unhindered access to his lawyers and eavesdropped on his confidential conversations during the preparation for his defense.
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However, Justice Omotosho ruled that these allegations could not be substantiated.
The suit, filed on December 4, 2023, by Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the DSS, and its Director-General as respondents.
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Kanu sought eight reliefs, including declarations that the DSS’s actions amounted to a denial of his rights to legal representation and an injunction to prevent further violations.
Kanu also requested N1 billion in damages for the mental, emotional, and psychological distress he claimed to have suffered.
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In a counter-affidavit filed on March 12, the DSS denied the allegations.
Yamuje Benye, a staff member from the DSS legal department, asserted that Kanu was provided with secure and safe custody and had regular access to his family and lawyers.
He argued that the DSS personnel never confiscated documents brought by Kanu’s lawyers or interfered with their consultations.
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Benye also highlighted that Justice Binta Nyako, who presides over Kanu’s criminal trial, mandated supervised visits to ensure security.
He emphasized that all visitors to DSS facilities undergo routine security checks to prevent unauthorized materials from entering the premises.
The DSS argued that the lawsuit was an abuse of court process, given that similar issues were being adjudicated by Justice Nyako.
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The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation also urged the court to dismiss the suit on similar grounds.
