Tobias Sylvester
An Umuahia High Court has ordered the Nigerian Government to pay the sum of N1billion to the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu for allegedly violating his fundamental human rights.
Nnamdi Kanu had filed the suit through his counsel, Aloy Ejimakor against the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami and the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly violating his rights.
Aside from the AGF and the DSS director-general, other respondents include the federal government of Nigeria (first), chief of army staff (third), inspector-general of police (fifth), and three others.
Amongst other reliefs sought in the suit marked HIH/FR14/2021, Kanu asked the court to compel the respondents to pay him N5 billion in damages as monetary compensation for the “physical, mental, emotional, psychological and other damages” suffered as a result of the alleged infringement on his fundamental rights.
The IPOB leader also sought N5 billion in damages over the invasion of his father’s house by the military on September 10, 2017.
FG Ordered To Pay Nnamdi Kanu N1billon
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, January 19, the judge, Benson Anya awarded N1bn damage in favour of the IPOB leader against the government, describing the invasion of Kanu’s Afaraukwu residence as notorious and brazen.
The judge also ordered the federal government to issue a public apology to Kanu in three national dailies.
He also advised the federal government to adopt a political resolution in dealing with issues involving Kanu.
However, the judge struck out other reliefs sought by Kanu’s legal team, including an order against his continued detention by the DSS.
This comes as Nnamdi Kanu pleaded not guilty to 15-count charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism instituted against him by the government at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
