Court reserves judgment on Kanu’s fundamental human rights suit

… As IPOB alleges DSS starves Nnamdi Kanu in custody

Hearing in the fundamental rights suit filed on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by his special counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor at An Abia State High Court, nas been concluded.

The suit filed on August 27, 2021, against the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and six others, sought the stoppage of Kanu’s prosecution and release from detention.

At issue was Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June this year.

During the last sitting on December 10, 2021, the parties joined issues and adopted their processes.

In his address to the court, Barrister Ejimakor stated: “It’s important to emphasise that the suit is aimed at barring the prosecution of Mazi Kanu and securing his release from detention because the opposite will amount to rewarding the government for the injustice inherent in the illegal rendition of Kanu.”

He relied on the relevant sections and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, case law and other authorities to buttress his points.

In their counter-arguments, the lawyers to the respondents, which included Barristers Simon Enoch (for the AGF), Omo-Osagie M (for the Police), Amos Tori (for the Army) and C. Odukwe for the DSS, raised preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of the court to entertain matters pertaining to the Federal Government.

At the conclusion of oral arguments, Justice Benson Anya informed parties that they would receive a hearing notice bearing the date the court would deliver its judgement.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Department of State Service (DSS), of planning to starve its leader, Nnamdi Kanu to death

Emma Powerful, Media and publicity secretary of the group, in a statement, alleged that their leader is being subjected to harsh conditions since his confinement in their custody even as he requested that he be transferred to the prison instead.

Powerful said, “The evil and compromised Nigeria DSS security agent, has decided to use starvation and hunger strategy to eliminate our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the custody. They have continued to confine him to a solitary cell under harsh conditions since his rendition to Nigeria in June. Solitary confinement is not a correctional centre, they should send him to Kuje prison pending his court dates.

“We are asking the Nigerian government and security agencies that is busy granting and releasing bandits and real terrorists every day to transfer our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the Nigeria prison/Correctional Centre where persons awaiting trial and kept. Nothing should happen to our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention.

“Nigeria DSS has denied our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU food since three to four days now.

“The whole world should take note of these atrocities and torture being meted out against our innocent leader. Amnesty International and other human rights groups should take note. The American government, the Israeli government, Canada, the German government and other western and civilised countries in the UK and Europe should prevail on Nigeria, DSS to stop starving and torturing our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. His rights should not be violated anymore.” Powerful warned.