Nnamdi Kanu’s $800M Lawsuit Against Buhari’s Government Struck Out By ECOWAS Court

A suit brought by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), has been dismissed by the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Nnamdi Kanu had alleged assault, torture, violation of his property right and inhuman treatment by the Nigerian Government.

The IPOB leader, who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and registered under the United Nations and the regulatory laws of the United Kingdom, is requesting for a compensation of $800M.

In his ruling on Wednesday, justice Dupe Aboki, leading a three-man panel, said Kanu has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt his claims and therefore dismissed his request for compensation.

However, the Court affirmed that Kanu had the legal capacity to approach the court for the alleged violation of his fundamental human rights; it ruled that without a mandate, he lacked the legal personality to stand on behalf of IPOB before the court.

Considering the proper parties before the court, the names of the second and third defendants (Director-General, State Security Service, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) who are both not signatories to the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, were dismissed from the suit as improper parties, having only the first defendant, The Federal Republic of Nigeria as the sole defendant.

Nnamdi Kanu also alleged he was a victim of constant arrest, torture, detention, inhuman and degrading treatment while in the custody of SSS and that belongings were seized by the defendant through its agent