The Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down an application by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to be moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to the National Hospital for medical treatment.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that Kanu would remain under DSS care despite concerns raised by his lawyers about his deteriorating health.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had urged the court to approve the transfer based on the medical advice of Prof. Martin Aghaji, a retired professor of medicine, who recommended advanced treatment at the National Hospital or even abroad if necessary. The defence argued that the DSS lacked the capacity to properly handle the IPOB leader’s multiple health challenges.
However, counsel to the DSS, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), strongly opposed the application. He maintained that the security agency’s medical team, headed by Dr. Mohammed Nasir, was competent to manage Kanu’s condition. Awomolo further accused Prof. Aghaji of inflating the seriousness of Kanu’s health issues and unilaterally changing his medication without consulting DSS doctors.
Awomolo also cautioned that moving Kanu could create security challenges and disrupt operations at the National Hospital. He assured the court that the federal government remained committed to ensuring the IPOB leader’s safety while allowing him access to medical experts of his choice within DSS custody.
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