Appeal Court strikes out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case Against DSS

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday struck out an appeal on alleged rights violation filed by terrorism convict, Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying it is without merit and had become academic following his November 20 conviction for terrorism by a Federal High Court.

In a judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that Kanu’s claim that his fundamental rights to human dignity, right to quality health care and religion were breached by his detention in the facility of the Department of State Services (DSS) was no longer feasible following his conviction, life imprisonment sentence and remand in prison custody.

In the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo, held that the substance of the case had become academic following the confirmation by Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the commencement of proceedings on Friday, that his client was being held in Sokoto prison.

The judge said the court could no longer order Kanu to be moved to Kuje prison to which he had sought to be relocated from the DSS custody.

Justice Ugo further held that, having earlier exhibited preference for prison custody, the court could no longer grant his prayers since he has been convicted and sent to the prison where he had desired.

The judgment was on Kanu’s appeal against the July 3 judgment by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja (now retired), which earlier dismissed his fundamental rights enforcement suit on the grounds that he failed to prove his case.

Listed as respondents in the appeal were the Director General of the DSS, DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

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