On Thursday the Federal High Court in Abuja has again refused the request of the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to wear the Igbo traditional attire,“isi agu” while in custody.
Delivering judgment Justice James Omotoso held that Kanu’s application lacked merit and consequently refused it.
The Court stated that the denial of wearing the Igbo traditional attire does not amount to a violation of human rights as alleged by the applicant.
According to the court, the IPOB leader has failed to prove his assertion to be granted the reliefs he sought in his suit.
Justice Omotoso said there was nothing on record before the court to show that he was discriminated against or that other inmates enjoyed any form of privileges or rights than the applicant.
”The case of the applicant is based on speculation without any concrete evidence, the applicant’s suit lacked merit, same failed and consequently the suit is hereby refused”
In his fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by his counsel, Maxwell Okpara, Kanu had prayed the court for a declaration that the DSS while carrying out their lawful duties are bound to respect the fundamental rights of citizens
A declaration that the applicant (Kanu) currently under detention is entitled to his human right according to the Constitution.
The applicant also wanted the court to hold that preventing him from wearing the Igbo traditional attire and other traditional attire which the Constitution does not forbid amounted to a violation of his fundamental human rights.
The Respondents, DG DSS and AGF in their counter affidavits had averred that they have not in any way breached the constitutional right of Kanu.
They held that Justice Binta Nyako before whom Kanu is standing trial for treasonable felony had barred Kanu from wearing the Igbo traditional outfits, adding that granting the request would amount to promoting a terrorist cause for which he is being held.
Justice Binta Nyako had in another suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021 rejected Kanu’s similar application to wear his traditional Igbo title attire which depicts the stigma of the proscribed organization known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
