The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding his clothing rights.
Kanu, through his lawyer, had sued the DSS, its Director-General, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), alleging inhuman treatment and denial of his right to wear the Igbo traditional attire called “Isi-Agu” while in custody or during court appearances.
The DSS, in its counter affidavit, urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s claim, stating that detainees in its facility are only allowed to wear plain clothes without offensive symbols or writings. They argued that the Isi-Agu attire was not suitable for detention facilities and violated their Standard Operation Procedure (SOP).
Justice Omotosho, delivering the judgment, held that the right to human dignity is protected by the constitution but does not include the right to change clothes as an inmate. The judge also noted that Kanu failed to provide concrete evidence of other inmates being allowed different attires. Consequently, the case was dismissed for lacking merit.
