The Federal High Court in Abuja recently dismissed a N50 billion lawsuit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government.
On Thursday in Abuja, Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the case due to lack of diligent prosecution, noting that neither Kanu nor the Federal Government was represented by lawyers during the court proceedings.
Kanu had filed the suit against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation, claiming violations of his rights.
He alleged that he was abducted from Kenya and unlawfully returned to Nigeria for trial. The suit sought to determine whether his extraordinary rendition was consistent with existing laws and whether he could be legally tried for charges related to offenses that were not part of his extradition.
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In his originating summons, Kanu sought 11 reliefs, including his release from the custody of the Department of State Services and an order preventing the prosecution of the criminal charges against him.
However, the Federal Government contested the suit, arguing that Kanu had previously filed a similar case in another court, which they claimed made the current suit an abuse of court process.
Additionally, Aloy Ejimakor, who informed the court of a change in legal representation for Kanu, stated that he was taking over from Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who initially filed the suit.
Justice Ekwo said the case had faced multiple adjournments due to the absence of representation, ultimately leading to its dismissal.