Law

Court Rejects Kanu’s Request to Wear ‘Isi Agu’ Traditional Attire In Custody.

Published

10 months ago

July 13, 2023

The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied Nnamdi Kanu’s request to wear the Igbo traditional attire, “isi agu,” while in custody.

Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice James Omotoso delivering judgment on Thursday, held that Kanu’s application lacked merit and consequently refused it.

The Court stated that the denial of wearing the Igbo traditional attire does not violate human rights, as alleged by the applicant.

According to the Court, the IPOB leader has failed to prove his assertion to be granted the reliefs he sought in his suit.

Justice Omotoso said there was nothing on record before the Court to show that he was discriminated against or that other inmates enjoyed other privileges or rights than the applicant.

” The case of the applicant is based on speculation without any concrete evidence, the applicant’s suit lacked merit, same failed, and consequently the suit is at this moment refused.”

Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s suit against DSS.

In his fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by his counsel, Maxwell Okpara, Kanu had prayed to the Court for a declaration that the DSS, while carrying out their lawful duties, are bound to respect the fundamental rights of citizens.

A declaration that the applicant (Kanu) currently under detention is entitled to his human right according to the Constitution.

The applicant also wanted the Court to hold that preventing him from wearing the Igbo and other traditional attire, which the Constitution allows, amounted to violating his fundamental human rights.

In their counter-affidavits, the Respondents, DG DSS and AGF averred that they had not breached Kanu’s constitutional right.

They held that Justice Binta Nyako, before Kanu is standing trial for treasonable felony, had barred Kanu from wearing the Igbo traditional outfits, adding that granting the request would amount to promoting a terrorist cause for which he is being held.

Justice Binta Nyako had, in another suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021, rejected Kanu’s similar application to wear his traditional Igbo title attire, which depicts the stigma of the proscribed organization known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

SOURCE.

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