The Abia State High Court on Wednesday ordered the Nigerian government to pay Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion, after declaring invasion of his home as unconstitutional.

The Nigerian Army had in 2017 broke into the residence of Mr Kanu in his hometown Afaraukwu, drawing widespread uproar. Mr Kanu used the attack as a pretext to flee Nigeria that year.

The court’s ruling came a week after it rejected the Buhari regime’s attempt to challenge its jurisdiction to hear the matter. The court said Nigerian soldiers violated Mr Kanu’s rights when they breached his home without a warrant, Mr Kanu’s lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor told Peoples Gazette about the outcome of today’s proceeding. Several people were killed or injured during the attack, but Mr Kanu escaped unharmed.

In a separate case, Mr Kanu has been in the custody of the Nigerian government since agents of the regime abducted him in Kenya in late June 2020 and forcibly transferred him to Abuja.

His case was heard on Wednesday morning at the Nigerian capital, during which it was adjourned again until February 16.