The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out Nnamdi Kanu’s ₦50 billion rights violation lawsuit against the Federal Government due to lack of diligent prosecution. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled after repeated non-appearances by both parties’ legal teams. The case involved allegations of unlawful abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a ₦50 billion lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Nigerian government.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled to strike out the case, citing a lack of diligent prosecution. Neither Kanu’s legal representatives nor those from the Federal Government appeared in court when the matter was called. The judge noted that Kanu’s team had previously failed to show up on multiple occasions, even though government counsel had attended earlier sessions.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, was initiated by Kanu to challenge alleged violations of his rights. Kanu argued that his alleged abduction from Kenya and subsequent return to Nigeria breached both Nigerian laws and international human rights protocols, specifically referencing the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
However, after several adjournments with no consistent legal representation, the court opted to dismiss the matter entirely.
