FG asks ECOWAS to throw out IPOB leader's suit

The federal government has asked the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to discard a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu.

The government says Kanu’s suit is now useless and meaningless since the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB)has “jumped bail and disappeared”.

Disappearing act

Kanu hasn’t been seensince September 14, 2017, in the wake of an invasion of his dad’s compound in Afaraukwu, Umuahia.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the State for charges bordering on illegal possession of firearms and treason.

He was granted bail on April, 25, 2017.

Kanu was billed to show up in court on October 17 and November 20, but the government and his lawyer have been trading blames over his disappearance.

No one knows where he is.

Fundamental rights suit

In March 2016, Kanu filed a case of unlawful arrest against the Nigerian government and demanded N800M in compensation.

Kanu also told the court that his fundamental rights have been violated by the Nigerian government.

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Counsel to the federal government, Maimuna Shiru, says it is now unnecessary for the court to hear that case because Kanu has flouted his bail conditions.

'Devoid of purpose'

Punch quotes Shiru as saying: “Having regards to Article 88(2) of the Rules of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, this suit has become devoid of purpose and unnecessary to adjudicate upon.

“The result of a judicial decision in this suit will serve no purpose. There are no live issues in controversy between the parties for the court to determine”.

Thomas Etah who filed an affidavit in government’s support said “that the plaintiff/respondent has now jumped bail and his whereabouts are unknown.

“That further to paragraph 8 above, it is public knowledge that the Federal High Court of Nigeria has ordered Senator and two other sureties to produce the plaintiff/respondent or forfeit their bail bonds”.