IPOB: Kanu demands $800m compensation from FG, drags FG to ECOWAS Court

Director of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu over the weekend, dragged the Federal Government to the ECOWAS Court of Justice, insisting that his continued detention violates his fundamental human rights and remains illegal.

In the Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/06/16 filed at the Abuja Division of the court, Kanu’s counsel, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor argued that his continued deten-tion violates Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 22 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 22 paragraph 1, of the Covenant of the League of Nations, as well as Resolution 2625 (XXV) of the United Nations Charter of 1970 and Rulings of courts of competent jurisdiction and orders made directing the defendants to release him (Kanu) from detention unconditionally which government flagrantly disobeyed.

He attached photographs and video clips evidencing the ‘genocidal massacre’ and unlawful killing of his supporters and members during a non-violent civil protest in Aba, Abia State by soldiers and policemen on the instruction of the Federal Government.

Joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) and the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS).

In the suit, Nnamdi, apart from asking for a declaration that he was being illegally detained and that he has never engaged in any violent agitation for the freedom of his people, demanded $800 million compensation as special and exemplary damages against the Federal Government. No date has been fixed for hearing the matter.