The Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred the hearing of a suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, alleges that Kanu was unlawfully abducted from Kenya and brought to Nigeria for trial. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 22, 2024.
In the suit, Kanu seeks an order for his release from the custody of the Department of State. Additionally, he demands N50 billion in damages from the Federal Government. Among the reliefs sought, Kanu questions the legality of trying him for the charges listed in the amended charge FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, citing the Extradition Act and the manner of his abduction in Kenya.
The Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, in a preliminary objection, argue that Kanu’s suit is an abuse of the court process. They urge the court to dismiss the case, pointing out that Kanu had previously filed a similar suit with analogous facts before a Federal High Court in Umuahia.
During Monday’s proceedings, Aloy Ejimakor, who now represents Kanu, informed the court of his takeover from Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
Justice Inyang Ekwo instructed Ejimakor to verify whether a similar matter is pending in another court or if a judgment has been issued in a comparable case. The judge also ordered the issuance of a hearing notice to be served on the absent defendants.
