The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Nnamdi Kanu’s N50 billion suit against the Federal Government over alleged rights violations.
Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the case on Thursday due to lack of prosecution. Neither Kanu nor his legal team showed up in court. The Federal Government also failed to send a representative.
The judge noted that the case had been adjourned three times due to the absence of legal representation. As a result, he decided to dismiss the suit.
Kanu Challenges Legality of His Extradition
In the suit, Kanu accused the Nigerian government of abducting him from Kenya and illegally bringing him to Nigeria. He argued that the extradition violated international and Nigerian laws.
Kanu wanted the court to rule on whether his abduction and extraordinary rendition breached the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Nigeria’s Extradition Act. He also sought a declaration that he could not be tried for charges unrelated to his extradition.
Release from DSS Custody and N100 Million Compensation Sought
Kanu demanded his immediate release from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody. He also sought an injunction to stop further prosecution in the criminal case FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015. In addition, Kanu asked for N100 million as the cost of the legal action.
FG Argues Suit Is an Abuse of Court Process
The Federal Government filed a preliminary objection in June 2022, calling the suit an abuse of court process. They pointed out that Kanu had filed a similar case at the Federal High Court in Umuahia. The government argued that this made the current suit invalid.
Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had earlier informed the court that he would replace Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, as Kanu’s counsel.
The court’s decision to dismiss the case means Kanu’s fight over his extradition and continued detention remains unresolved for now.
