The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), challenging the alleged violation of his fundamental rights by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

A three-member panel of the appellate court on Friday held that the appeal had become academic following Kanu’s recent conviction and sentencing by the Federal High Court on November 20.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo noted that Kanu is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, rendering his request to be transferred from DSS custody to Kuje Prison irrelevant.

Justice Ugo recalled that Kanu had previously indicated a preference for prison custody over DSS detention, which has now been satisfied.

The appellate court’s ruling arose from Kanu’s challenge to the July 3 judgment of retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had dismissed his fundamental rights suit for lack of evidence. The panel struck out the appeal, declaring it devoid of merit.

It will be recalled that on November 20, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted Kanu on a seven-count terrorism charge and sentenced him to life imprisonment.