Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Over Absence Of FG’s Counsel

Amidst heavy presence of security agents, the Abia State High Court, Umuahia today (21st September 2021) adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights Suit filed before the Abia court by his Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor on 27th August, 2021.

ABN TV reports that the matter came up before the vacation judge, Justice KCJ Okereke.

Speaking to the media, Barrister Ejimakor expressed confidence in the capacity of the Abia High Court to uphold the law by enforcing Kanu’s human rights. Ejimakor said that “there is an unbroken chain of federal government’s violations of Kanu’s constitutional rights that began with the lethal military invasion of his home in Umuahia and his flight to safety in 2017 and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in late June 2021”.

At today’s hearing, it emerged that out of the eight respondents, only two – the DSS in Abuja and Umuahia – have filed their reply to the Suit but their processes were filed out of time. Their Counsel, Ms Odukwe was court. Nothing was received from the other six respondents, which included the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Army, and no counsel appeared on their behalf.

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It also emerged that an apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has filed an application seeking leave of the Court to file an amicus (friend of the court) brief in support of Kanu. ADF is led by Emeritus Professor Uzodimma Nwala and the application was brought by its counsel, Max Ozoaka.

Barrister Ejimakor appeared for Kanu in the company of several lawyers, two of whom were introduced as Barristers Patrick Agazie and Wilson Kalu.

In making his ruling for adjournment of the matter, the Judge noted that Kanu shall be entitled to certain reliefs against any party that fails to timely respond to the Suit.