The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed two separate lawsuits challenging alleged violations of his constitutional rights, including the right to a fair hearing, fair trial, and speedy trial.
Kanu, who filed the suits through his legal team led by his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, urged the court and the Nigerian government to adhere to constitutional provisions and relevant statutes in handling his case.
In the first suit, filed under Suit Number CV/875/25, Kanu seeks an unconditional release from detention and the ongoing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.
His lawyers argued that the the IPOB leader’s trial violates Section 36(1) & (4) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial.
In the suit, Kanu demanded a formal apology from the Nigerian government for the alleged violation of his fundamental rights, to be published in three widely circulated national newspapers.
He also demanded compensation of N100billion for alleged physical, mental, and emotional trauma caused by his prolonged detention and legal proceedings.
In a second suit, numbered M/3224/2025, Kanu seeks a writ of mandamus compelling the Nigerian authorities to follow due legal process in his trial.
The suit specifically demanded the transfer of his case to the South-East, arguing that it should have been filed there initially.
Kanu contended that the lawsuits were necessary due to repeated constitutional breaches following the recusal of Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako on September 24, 2024.
His legal team highlighted concerns including, “Failure to reassign the case to another judge. Reversing the recusal decision, returning the case to the same judge.
“Refusal to consider moving the case to the Southeast. Delays in bringing the case to trial, keeping Kanu in detention for nearly four years without resolution.”
The legal team insisted that these actions amount to a miscarriage of justice, undermining Kanu’s legal rights and prolonging his incarceration without a fair trial.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ejimakor emphasised that his client “cannot fold his hands while these injustices persist.”
Ejimakor said, “In the first Suit, Number: CV/875/25 filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, we requested for the enforcement of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s constitutional right to fair hearing and to be tried within a reasonable time; and in the alternative, to release him unconditionally.
“In the second Suit, Number: M/3224/2025 which was also brought before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, we are seeking for a Mandamus to compel the authorities to follow the law in the conduct of his trial, including the transfer of his case to Southeast where it should have been instituted in the first place.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that these Suits were primarily necessitated by the several unconstitutional and unlawful actions that have pervaded the conduct of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case since the recusal of Honorable Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako on 24th September 2024.
“The said unconstitutional and unlawful actions include the refusal to reassign the case to another Judge, the backward reassignment of the case to the same Judge who recused herself from the case, the refusal to consider transfer of the case to Southeast and most importantly, the failure of the authorities to bring the case to a proper trial within a “reasonable time” as the Constitution demands.
“To be clear, these actions by the authorities constitute a grave miscarriage of justice that have altogether become highly injurious to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal interests, including particularly the grave injustice of keeping him in detention for almost four years without any prospect of a fair trial.
“As a human being imbued with certain inalienable rights, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot fold his hands whilst these injustices persist.”
Source: SaharaReporters
