Kanu’s N1bn suit against DSS gets March 18 date.

Kanu’s N1bn suit against DSS gets March 18 date.

The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday adjourned a fresh N1 billion suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government until March 18 for a hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had, on January 8, reported that Justice James Omotosho fixed the hearing for yesterday.

Counsel to the defence, I.I. Hassan, told the court that they were yet to be served with the processes.

But Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, said everything needed for the service had been perfected.

He wondered why the originating motion and other applications were yet to be served on the defence by the bailiff.

Justice Omotosho adjourned until March 18 for the plaintiff to serve the defence in the suit.

NAN reports that Kanu, through his lawyer, Ejimakor, had filed the latest suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023 for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

He sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Department of State Service (DSS) and its Director-General.

The detained IPOB leader sought “a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence which were brought to him at the respondents’ detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice”.

He also sought “a declaration that the respondents’ act of refusing or preventing his counsel from taking notes of details of counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention, with said discussions/consultations relating to preparation of his defence amounted to denial of his right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence by legal practitioners of his own choice”.

Kanu sought an order compelling the respondents to issue an official letter of apology to him for the infringement of his fundamental right to a fair hearing.

He is also seeking an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N1 billion as damages for the mental, emotional, psychological and other damages he suffered as a result of the breach of his rights.