Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a N50 billion lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government over alleged rights violations.
Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the case (FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022) due to lack of diligent prosecution, noting that Kanu’s legal team failed to appear in court for multiple adjournments.
Kanu had sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), challenging the legality of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021. His suit sought:
- A judicial review of his arrest and extradition process
- An order for his immediate release from DSS custody
- An injunction halting his ongoing trial (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 before Justice Binta Nyako)
- N100 million in damages
Justice Ekwo emphasized that the case had suffered three adjournments due to Kanu’s legal team’s absence. He further stating that the last hearing, only the Federal Government’s counsel appeared and that the plaintiff showed lack of diligence in pursuing the matter.
In a preliminary objection filed June 2022, the defendants argued that the suit was an abuse of court process, citing a similar case (FHC/UM/CS/30/2022) previously filed in Umuahia and that both matters involved identical parties and reliefs
Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, had informed the court of taking over the case from Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who originally filed the suit in April 2022. However, Ejimakor’s team later failed to appear for proceedings.
The dismissal deals a setback to Kanu’s legal strategy, which has relied heavily on challenging the legality of his rendition. His ongoing terrorism trial before Justice Nyako continues unaffected.
