Vacation judge, Justice KCK Okereke of the Abia State High Court before adjourning the suit by Nnamdi Kanu against the federal government, ordered that the case be transferred back to the State Chief Judge for re-assignment as his vacation elapses September 30.
The Judge noted that Kanu shall be entitled to certain reliefs against any party that fails to timely respond to the suit.
He had earlier granted Kanu leave to serve all respondents by substituted means through a publication in two national dailies.
Kanu had through his special counsel, Mr Aloy Ejimakor, sued the Federal Government of Nigeria for his “extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya”.
He demands among other things that he be returned to Kenya where he was “abducted”, and then to Britain where he resides; and also be paid N5 billion for the gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
The respondents include: the Federal Government of Nigeria: the Attorney General of the Federation; the Chief of Army Staff; Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia; Inspector General of Police, IGP; Commissioner of Police, Abia State; the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services, DSS; and the Abia State Director of DSS.
While the seventh and eight respondents, respectively, through their Counsel, Mrs C Odukwe, filed a counter-affidavit, the first to the sixth respondents neither appear in court, nor were they represented by any attorney.
Counsel to Kanu had prayed the court to foreclose any further opportunities to the other respondents who did not appear in court to file any other counter affidavit but the judge said granting the prayer would be speculative.
Meanwhile, Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), has filed an application seeking leave of the Court to file an amicus (friend of court) brief in support of Kanu.
Similarly, a delegation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide led by its National President, Mazi Igboayaka. O. Igboayaka, was in the court to solidarise with the IPOB leader, who it said: “is Igbo hero that cannot be abandoned”.
Igboayaka said Kanu’s persecution was an affront against the entire Igbo race as he committed no crime other than seek justice for the oppressed indigenous people of Nigeria particularly the Old Eastern region.
He pledged the unflinching support of Igbo youths for Kanu, declaring that Ndigbo home and abroad are solidly behind him.
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