Appeal Court Strikes Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Suit

Aremu Toyeebaht November 28, 2025 2 minutes read

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out an appeal by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that his complaints of rights violations can no longer be entertained since he is now serving a life sentence.

A three-member panel of the court held that the appeal had “lost its substance” after Kanu’s November 20 conviction by the Federal High Court. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Ugo said the IPOB leader’s allegations—including denial of proper medical care, dignity of person and freedom of religion—were “overtaken by events.”

According to Justice Ugo, Kanu is no longer in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) but has been moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, a fact confirmed in court by his lawyer, Maxwell Opara. He added that Kanu had previously expressed preference for prison custody, making his request for a transfer from DSS detention to Kuje Correctional Centre irrelevant.

Appeal Court Strikes Out Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Suit — ***The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed Nnamdi Kanu’s rights violation appeal, declaring the matter academic following his conviction and prison remand.***

The appeal sought to overturn the July 3 judgment of retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who had dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit for lack of credible evidence.

In the original suit filed in December 2021 (FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021), Kanu alleged deteriorating health and claimed that the medical personnel assigned to him while in DSS custody were unqualified. But DSS counsel, Idowu Awo, argued that the applicant presented no proof that the personnel were “quacks.” Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Simon Enoch, also asked the court to dismiss the application.

Justice Taiwo ruled that Kanu failed to substantiate claims of torture, denial of religious freedom or inadequate medical care. He stressed that while detainees have the right to practise their religion, such practice must not disturb the rights or peace of others in custody.

The Federal High Court subsequently dismissed the case as lacking merit—a decision the Court of Appeal has now affirmed, declaring the issues raised as no longer justiciable following Kanu’s conviction and lawful remand.