Maxwell Opara, one of the lawyers representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has dragged the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly violating his fundamental human rights.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1018/2021, Opara is demanding the sum of N50m as compensation for the infringement on his right to the dignity of the human person.

Opara alleged that the agency interfered with his right during his routine visit to his client, who is being detained in the DSS facility.

He prayed the court to compel the DSS and its director-general to issue a written apology to him and publish the same in two national daily newspapers.

The lawyer is also seeking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the DSS and its representatives from interfering with his right to the dignity of the human person and freedom of movement during his routine visit to his client.

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He is also seeking “a declaration that the respondents, whilst in the execution of their duties, must respect the fundamental rights of citizens and accordingly abide by the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the provisions of the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“A declaration that the actions of the men, operatives and officers under the command of the respondents, on August 30, 2021, during the applicant’s visit to see his client in their detention facility, wherefore they commandeered the applicant to a particular room within their facility for purposes of alleged bodily search, wherein they forced him to remove his medicated eye glasses, wedding ring, belt, jacket and shoes and accordingly left him shabbily dressed, harassed, intimidated and humiliated, amounting to a gross violation of the applicant’s right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Pe0ple Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.”

Also joined in the suit is the Director-General of the DSS. No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.