High Court Judge’s Absence Stalls Nnamdi Kanu’s N50 Billion Lawsuit Against Nigerian Government.
High Court Judge’s Absence Stalls Nnamdi Kanu’s N50 Billion Lawsuit Against Nigerian Government.
Proceedings in the N50 billion lawsuit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Nigerian government were delayed on Monday due to the absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court was informed that Justice Ekwo was attending to official duties at another court division, prompting the adjournment of the case to February 11, 2025.
Kanu’s lawsuit accuses the Nigerian government and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) of violating his fundamental rights through his abduction in Kenya and illegal extradition to Nigeria.
The IPOB leader seeks the court’s determination on whether his extraordinary rendition from Kenya contravenes existing legal provisions, including:
Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Article 5(a) of the African Charter’s Principles and Guidelines on Human and Peoples’ Rights while Countering Terrorism in Africa.
Kanu also challenges the legality of his trial under Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, arguing that the charges brought against him differ from the reasons for his extradition.
In his originating summons, Kanu seeks 11 reliefs, including:
An order for his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
An order barring his prosecution in a separate criminal case before Justice Binta Nyako.
A N50 billion compensation for violation of his rights.
Additionally, Kanu demands N100 million as the cost of initiating the legal action.
However, the federal government and AGF, in a preliminary objection filed on June 27, 2022, urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing it as an abuse of the judicial process. They referenced a similar suit filed by Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abia, under case number FHC/UM/CS/30/2022, arguing that this duplication rendered the Abuja case invalid.
During a prior hearing, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, announced a change in legal representation, taking over from Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who initially filed the suit on
