Federal High Court Dismisses Suit Filed By Nnamdi Kanu Against DSS

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday rejected a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought forward by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Department of State Services (DSS).

In his judgment, Justice James Omotosho stated that Kanu’s case was unmerited and should be thrown out.

Kanu had accused the DSS in his lawsuit of subjecting him to various inhumane treatments, including not allowing him to wear his choice of clothing such as the traditional Igbo attire, “Isi-Agu,” while under their watch or in court.

Kanu’s lawyer filed the lawsuit, designating the Director-General of DSS, DSS, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the respondents.

The DSS and its Director-General, in a response to Kanu’s allegations, asked the court to reject his claims.

They clarified that their officers had not mistreated Kanu in any way while he was in their care.

They emphasized that the DSS facility is not a venue for leisure or cultural celebration where Kanu and other detainees could display their respective traditional attire.

In delivering his judgment, Justice Omotosho referenced Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates the right to human dignity.

He determined that Kanu’s case did not involve torture or forced labour, as there was no evidence of Kanu being tortured while in custody.

The judge concluded that Kanu had not provided sufficient proof of his claims, including the names and photographs of other detainees who were allowed to wear different clothing while in custody.

Describing Kanu’s allegations as a hypothesis lacking concrete evidence, Justice Omotosho dismissed the case.