IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Lost In Court Against DSS

In a recent development, a federal high court in Abuja has dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Department of State Services (DSS).

The presiding judge, James Omotosho, stated that Kanu’s suit lacked merit and should be dismissed.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/482/2022, alleged that Kanu was subjected to inhumane treatment and torture by the DSS.

Kanu claimed that while other detainees were allowed to wear clothes of their choice, he was restricted to wearing only one outfit and was not allowed to wear his Igbo traditional attire called “Isi-Agu.”

He sought an order directing the DSS to allow him to wear any clothing of his choice while in custody or when appearing in public.

However, the DSS denied the allegations in a counter affidavit, stating that Kanu was never tortured physically or mentally during his custody. They argued that their facility is not a place for adorning oneself in traditional attire and that there is a dress code SOP for individuals held there.

In delivering the judgment, Judge Omotosho found that Kanu’s case did not relate to torture as claimed.

He noted the absence of concrete evidence, such as photographs and names of inmates who were allowed to wear different attires while in DSS custody. Consequently, the judge dismissed the case for lacking merit.