FG, Army Absent As Abia Court Hears Nnamdi Kanu’s N5 Billion Suit

The Abia State High Court, Umuahia, today, adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights suit to October 7th 2021.

This followed the absence of the federal government, which is among the respondents.

The case was filed by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, on 27th August, 2021.

The matter came up before the vacation judge, Justice KCJ Okereke.

Ejimakor expressed confidence in the capacity of the Abia High Court to uphold the law by enforcing Kanu’s human rights.

He said, “There is an unbroken chain of federal government’s violations of Kanu’s constitutional rights that started with the lethal military invasion of his home in Umuahia and his flight to safety in 2017 and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in late June 2021.”

He referred to the 17th September, 2021 fundamental rights judgment of Oyo State High Court in favour of Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) against the federal government.

In his words, “The Oyo State High Court judgment in Igboho’s case (which is similar to Kanu) restates the locus classicus on the wide jurisdiction of state high courts when it comes to enforcement of the fundamental rights stipulated under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter.”

THE WHISTLER reports that out of the eight respondents, only the DSS filed their reply to the suit but their processes were filed out of time.

Nothing was received from the other six respondents including the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the attorney-general of the Federation and the Nigerian Army.

Ejimakor appeared for Kanu in company of other lawyers, including Mr Patrick Agazie and Mr Wilson Kalu.

Also in court was Mazi Igboayaka Igboayaka, the president of Ohaneze Youths Council. He told newsmen that he came to demonstrate solidarity of Ohaneze youths with Nnamdi Kanu.

The judge said Mazi Kanu would be entitled to certain reliefs against any party that failed to timely respond to the suit.

Meanwhile, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has filed an application seeking leave of the court to file an amicus (friend of court) brief in support of Kanu.