A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again refused a request by the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to wear the Igbo traditional attire ‘isi agu’ while in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) .
In a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Thursday, held that Kanu’s application is devoid of merit and was consequently refused.
The court stated that denial of wearing of Igbo traditional attire does not amount to violation of human rights as alleged by the IPOB leader.
According to the court, Kanu failed to prove his assertion to be granted the reliefs sought in his suit and added that, there is nothing on record before the court to show that he was discriminated against or that other inmates enjoy any form of privileges or rights than the applicant.
“The case of the applicant is based on speculation without any concrete evidence, the applicant’s suit lacks merit, same failed and consequently, the suit is hereby refused”, the Judge held.
Kanu, in a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by his counsel, Maxwell Okpara, had prayed the court for declaration that the DSS, while carrying out their lawful duties are bound to respect fundamental rights of citizens.
Kanu also wants a declaration of the court that he is entitled to his human rights while in custody of the respondents.
The respondents, Director General of the DSS, the Services and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in their counters, averred that they have not in any way bridged the constitutional right of Kanu.
They held that Justice Binta Nyako before whom Kanu is standing trial for treasonable felony had barred him from wearing Igbo traditional attire and that, granting that would amount to promoting the cause for which he is being held.
Justice Nyako had earlier, in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021 rejected Kanu’s similar application to wear his traditional Igbo title attire which depicts the insignia of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
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