The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ruling that the case has become irrelevant following his terrorism conviction.
A three-judge panel determined that Kanu’s claims regarding violations of his fundamental rights, including dignity, healthcare access, and religious freedom during his detention at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, were no longer applicable following his conviction and life sentence.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moses Ugo noted that Kanu’s lawyer confirmed in court that the IPOB leader had already been transferred to Sokoto prison after his November 20 conviction by a federal high court.
He said this made it impossible for the court to grant Kanu’s request to be moved from the DSS facility to Kuje prison, which he had previously preferred.
The dismissed appeal had sought to overturn a July 3 judgment delivered by retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who earlier held that Kanu failed to prove any breach of his fundamental rights.
The DSS director-general, the DSS, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were listed as respondents.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on seven counts of terrorism filed against him by the federal government.
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