The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, needs urgent ear surgery amid his reported failing health, his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has told the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for about a year, since he was forcefully brought back into the country from Kenya.
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The DSS medical team also confirmed this at the resumed hearing of a case where Kanu is seeking an order granting him unhindered access to his personal doctor.
Addressing Justice Binta Nyako, Ozekhome said the DSS has repeatedly refused to grant his client access to his personal doctor, and also refused to release medical records of the Biafra leader.
Ozekhome said the action of the DSS indicates that it is not willing to allow his client access to proper medical attention, insisting that he is being treated like a guinea pig in their custody, in breach of Section 7 of the Anti-torture Act.
In his reply, the DSS lawyer, A.M. Danlami told the court that Kanu was being given proper feeding and medical attention while in custody.
The lawyer therefore prayed the court to dismiss Nnamdi Kanu’s case on allowing him access to his doctor, stating that it will be in the interest of justice and national security.
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako has adjourned the suit to July 20, 2023 for judgement.