Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a N50 billion suit against the federal government over the alleged violation of his rights.
Kanu alleged that he was kidnapped from Kenya and brought back to Nigeria to stand trial.
The IPOB leader, who is in DSS custody, filed the suit yesterday through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, against the federal government and Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
Among other reliefs sought in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, Kanu asked the court to determine “whether the way and manner in which the plaintiff was abducted in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria is consistent with extant laws particularly the provisions of Article 12 (4) of the African charter on human and peoples rights (ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Article/Part 5 (a) of the African Charter’s principles and guidelines on human and peoples’ rights while countering terrorism in Africa”.
Kanu also wants the court to determine “whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the plaintiff can be competently/legally tried for offences stated in counts 1 to 14 of the 15-count amended charge in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 between Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which are not the offences for which he was surrendered or extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria”.
The IPOB leader also wants the court to rule on “whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the defendants have the enabling powers to detain the plaintiff or subject him to be tried on charges later amended after he was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria”.
After the questions have been decided, Kanu prayed the court to give judgment on various declarations relating to the circumstances surrounding his extradition and ongoing trial.
“A declaration that the plaintiff’s abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria without being subjected to extent extradition proceedings/hearing in Kenya where he was abducted, is a clear violation of Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act CAP A9, LFN 2004,” the document reads.