An Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia has adjourned a suit filed by the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu seeking to enforce his fundamental human rights against the Nigerian government and seven others.
Justice KCJ Okereke, who is a vacation judge ordered that the case be returned to the State Chief Judge for reassignment as his vacation elapses on September 30 and adjourned the suit to October 7
Kanu had sued the Nigerian government of for his extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya.
In the suit filed by his counsel, the IPOB leader, among other reliefs, demanded N5 billion for the gross violation of his fundamental human rights by the Nigerian government. He also demanded his return to Kenya where he was abducted to Nigeria and to Britain where he is a citizen.
Respondents to the suit are; the Federal Government of Nigeria: the Attorney General of the Federation; the Chief of Army Staff; Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia; Inspector General of Police, IGP; Commissioner of Police, Abia State; the Director General of the Department of State Security Services, DSS; and the Abia State Director of DSS.
The Judge granted Kanu leave to serve all respondents by substituted means through a publication in two national dailies, stressing that Kanu shall be entitled to certain reliefs against any party that fails to timely respond to the suit.
The 7th and 8th respondents, respectively, through their Counsel, Mrs. C Odukwe, filed a counter affidavit, while the 1st to the 6th respondents failed to appear in court.
Ejimakor prayed the court to foreclose any further opportunities to the other respondents who did not appear in court to file counter affidavit but the judge declined to grant the prayer. He expressed optimism his client would get justice in the end.
Earlier, heavily armed and stern looking security men had barricaded the roads leading to the premises of the Abia State High Court located along Ikot Ekpene road, Umuahia.
