Court Sets April 18 For Hearing On Nnamdi Kanu’s N1bn Suit Against Nigerian Govt, DSS

Court Sets April 18 For Hearing On Nnamdi Kanu’s N1bn Suit Against Nigerian Govt, DSS

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has scheduled April 18 for the hearing of a N1 billion compensation suit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS)…..READ ALSO Court Rules On Lawsuit Demanding CCB Disclosure Of Assets Of Jonathan, Buhari, Osinbajo, Others

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after Kanu’s counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, expressed his intention to respond to a counter affidavit jointly filed by the DSS and its Director-General (DG).

Upon resuming the hearing, Gbenga Oladimeji, representing the Federal Government, informed the court that they had yet to file their response to the suit as they were only notified about it on Monday morning, despite being served since March 6.

Oladimeji requested an adjournment to allow them to respond adequately. Meanwhile, Abdul Danlami, the DSS lawyer, stated that they had already filed their counter affidavit in opposition to Kanu’s plea.

Ejimakor sought an adjournment to file a further affidavit in response to new issues raised by the DSS in their counter affidavit.

Consequently, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until April 18 for the adoption of processes.

Kanu had filed the compensation suit through his lawyer, Ejimakor, seeking to enforce his fundamental rights while in detention.

In the originating motion dated and filed on December 4, Kanu sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), DSS, and its DG as the 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.

The suit, filed pursuant to Order II, Rules 1 & 2 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, sought various reliefs, including a declaration that the respondents’ act of seizing and photocopying confidential legal documents amounted to a denial of Kanu’s right to fair hearing.

However, the DSS, in a counter affidavit filed on March 12, denied the allegations, stating that Kanu was in secure custody, allowed access to family members and lawyers, and not detained in solitary confinement. They also argued that the suit was an abuse of court process, as similar issues were argued before Justice Nyako.

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