Appeal court strikes out Nnamdi kanu’s rights suit, says case now ‘academic’

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out an appeal filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in which he accused the Federal Government of violating his fundamental rights.

The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) were listed as respondents.

A three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed the matter on Friday, ruling that the case had become purely academic since Kanu has already been convicted and is serving his sentence.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Ugo noted that Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, confirmed that the IPOB leader is currently held at the Sokoto Correctional Centre following his conviction by the Federal High Court.

Because of this, the court said the request asking that Kanu be moved from DSS custody to Kuje Prison could no longer be granted.

The court further held that since Kanu had previously indicated that he preferred to be held in prison rather than DSS custody, his current detention in the Sokoto facility aligns with that preference.

The appeal challenged a July 3 ruling by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who had dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights suit.

Kanu was convicted on November 20 on a seven-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government. Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to life imprisonment.