Court of Appeal Throws Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case

Court of Appeal Throws Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in which he alleged violations of his fundamental human rights by the Director-General of the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

A three-man panel ruled that the application had lost its legal relevance, stating that all issues raised had become academic following Kanu’s conviction and life sentence delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Ugo held that claims of rights violations—including lack of proper medical care, denial of dignity, and restriction of religious freedom—could no longer be entertained since Kanu had been transferred from DSS custody to a correctional centre.

Justice Ugo further noted that Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, confirmed at the hearing that the IPOB leader is currently held at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, rendering his earlier request for a transfer to Kuje Prison irrelevant.

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The court also recalled that Kanu had previously indicated his preference for prison custody, and since he has already been convicted and remanded, the reliefs he sought had been overtaken.

The appeal challenged a July 3 ruling by retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who dismissed Kanu’s rights enforcement suit for lack of evidence.

Respondents in the case included the DSS Director-General, the Department of State Services, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Kanu’s original suit, filed in December 2021 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021, claimed that his health deteriorated while in DSS detention and that unqualified medical personnel attended to him. However, DSS counsel Idowu Awo countered that no evidence had been presented to prove the medical staff were “quacks.”

Similarly, counsel to the AGF, Simon Enoch, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

The Federal High Court had earlier held that Kanu failed to prove allegations of torture, denial of religious rights, or inadequate medical care. Justice Taiwo ruled that while detainees may practise their religion, such practice must not disrupt the custody environment. The court also noted Kanu called no medical expert to substantiate his claims.

The High Court’s dismissal for lack of merit has now been upheld by the Court of Appeal, closing the chapter on this particular rights violation claim.

Court of Appeal Throws Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case