One of the lawyers of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has filed N50million fundamental right suit against the Department of State Services.
Maxwell Opara, in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1018/2021 filed on Monday, alleged that his rights were violated when he paid Mr Kanu a visit on August 30 as ordered by the court.
He said DSS operatives took him to a room within the facility and “forced him to remove his medicated eye-glasses, wedding ring, belt, jacket, and shoes and accordingly left him shabbily dressed.”
Mr Opara further said he had to hold his pair of trousers in his hands and was given bathroom slippers meant for inmates awaiting trial.
According to him, the alleged actions by DSS agents amounted to gross violation of his right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.
Opara prayed the court to award him N50million as compensation for the alleged infringement.
He also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the DSS, its director-general and representatives from further interfering with his rights during his visit to see Kanu.
The lawyer also asked for a court order mandating written apology by the respondents which should be published in two national daily newspapers for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
