Nnamdi Kanu: Court To Deliver Judgement On Fundamental Rights Suit

A High Court sitting in Aba is set to deliver judgement on a fundamental human rights suit filed against the Nigerian government and the military by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The judgement is expected to be delivered on January 19, following the conclusion of the hearing on the suit filed before Justice Benson Anya on December 10, 2021.

Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, in a statement, said the suit was initiated on August 27, 2021. In the suit, Kanu through his lawyer sought a court’s order to declare that the military invasion of his home in Abia state by the government is illegal and amounts to an infringement of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. Ejimakor sought a declaration of the arrest of his client in Kenya by agents of the Nigerian government without due process as unlawful and unconstitutional.

He also sought a declaration of the expulsion of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria by the Nigerian government and his detention and planned prosecution in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu) as illegal. Among many others, Ejimakor prayed the court to make an order compelling the Nigerian government to release Kanu from detention and issue an official letter of apology to the IPOB leader. Meanwhile,President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged not to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra without trial. General Bata Haruna (retired) said such action would be an affront to Nigeria’s constitution and the judiciary as an institution. According to Haruna, allegations of treason and terrorism for which Kanu is accused of should not be treated with a kid’s glove.