The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday struck out an appeal filed by the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, challenging alleged violations of his fundamental rights by the Federal Government.
The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) were named as respondents in the case.
A three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed the case on the grounds that it had become an academic exercise, as Kanu had already been convicted and punished by the Federal High Court of Abuja.
In its lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Ugo stated that Kanu’s counsel, Maxwell Opara, acknowledged that his client is already serving his term at the Sokoto Correction Centre.
It ruled that, in light of the developments, a prayer in the appeal for Kanu’s transfer from DSS custody to Kuje jail could not be granted.
Furthermore, the court found that, because Kanu had previously stated a preference for jail confinement, his conviction and ongoing remand at the Sokoto Correctional Facility met that desire.
Consequently, it struck out the case for lack of merit.
In the appeal, the embattled IPOB leader disputed the trial court’s July 3 verdict, which dismissed a complaint he filed to enforce his fundamental rights.
It should be noted that on November 20, the high court convicted Kanu on a seven-count terrorism accusation brought by the federal government against him.
Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the prosecution proved the elements of the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt, sentenced him to life imprisonment.
