Heavy security in Abia as court hears Nnamdi Kanu’s suit against Buhari govt

Uche EmmanuelSeptember 21, 2021

2 minutes read

Heavy security has taken over the roads leading to the premise of the Abia State High Court located at Ikot Ekpene Road Umuahia, the state capital over the suit filed by the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Newsflash Nigeria understands that the suit filed by the IPOB leader against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari comes up for hearing today.

It was gathered that security operatives are diverting traffic away from roads leading to the court.

Recall that the secessionist, had through his special counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor sued the Federal Government of Nigeria over his extradition from Kenya a few months ago.

The suit is demanding that Kanu be returned to Kenya where he was allegedly extradited from and subsequently to Britain where he was residing.

It also demanded N5 billion from the Federal Government over alleged gross violation of his fundamental rights.

Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief of Army Staff, Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State; Inspector General of the police, Commissioner for police, Abia State; Director General, State Security Services, and Abia State Director, State Security Services.

Kanu’s special counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor said that he was optimistic that justice would be done.

He said, “The court will check in its file whether proof of service on each of the eight respondents has been filed in the court’s file.

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“Given that the suit was filed on 7th September, it is expected that service of process must have been completed by now. And if service was accomplished, the respondents have five days to file their counter affidavit from the date of completion of service.

“Where a respondent fails to respond within five days, such respondent shall be deemed to have admitted the facts averred in the affidavit and judgment shall be entered in favour Nnamdi Kanu.

“I have confidence that the Abia court will uphold the law. The Oyo State High Court judgment in Igboho’s case (which is similar to Kanu) is instructive and underscores the wide powers of state high courts when it comes to enforcement of fundamental rights.”

Ejimakor said the N5bn was the monetary damages claimed by the applicant against the respondents jointly and severally for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological and other damages suffered by the applicant as a result of the infringements of his fundamental rights.