Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Service for N1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations of his fundamental rights while in detention.
The IPOB leader, in the suit marked FHC/CS/1633/2023, claimed that the DSS and its Director General violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal trial.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering a judgment on the suit, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with, that he was denied unhindered access to his lawyers, and that DSS officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers, which constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing.
However, Judge Omotosho ruled that Kanu failed to present sufficient evidence to support his claims.
Kanu’s lawyers had argued that the DSS denied him access to his legal counsel and engaged in illegal eavesdropping on their conversations.
Justice Omotosho found these claims unsubstantiated by credible evidence.
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