A grave concern is being raised about the health of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Obi Aguocha, has sounded the alarm, stating that Kanu is teetering on the brink of death due to his deteriorating medical condition. Aguocha is making an urgent plea to President Bola Tinubu to authorize Kanu’s immediate transfer from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to a specialized tertiary hospital for critical care. The situation is dire and demands swift action to prevent a potential catastrophe.
Key Points at a Glance:
- Hon. Obi Aguocha reports Nnamdi Kanu’s health is critically low.
- He urges President Tinubu to facilitate urgent medical transfer.
- Kanu’s doctors indicate organ insufficiencies and other serious complications.
- A broken nose and other injuries from his rendition are also cited.
- Medical reports have been submitted to the President and other key officials.
- Multiple medical assessments have confirmed the severity of Kanu’s condition.
- Failure to act could lead to severe unrest, especially in the Southeast.
- Kanu, awaiting trial, still possesses fundamental human rights, including healthcare.
A Visit That Sparked Alarm
Honourable Aguocha, who represents Nnamdi Kanu’s constituency, shared his harrowing experience after visiting Kanu at the DSS detention facility on August 21st. “Honestly, I thought I was seeing a ghost-like figure,” he confessed to ARISE NEWS. This disturbing encounter prompted Aguocha to arrange for Kanu’s personal medical team to conduct a thorough assessment. The results were alarming, indicating that the IPOB leader was suffering from multiple organ insufficiencies, a low progesterone count, and other serious health issues. The report also highlighted the physical trauma Kanu sustained during his extraordinary rendition, including a broken nose.
Urgent Medical Intervention Requested
Armed with this critical medical report, Aguocha immediately forwarded it to President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He stressed the necessity for prompt government intervention to provide Kanu with adequate medical treatment. Beyond immediate care, Aguocha also called for the government to form its own medical panel to re-evaluate Kanu’s condition based on the existing reports. This is crucial to ensure a comprehensive understanding of his health status and to formulate an effective treatment plan.
Conflicting Reports and Pending Assessments
The situation has seen further developments with reports suggesting the Attorney-General has indeed commissioned a separate medical team to assess Kanu. These evaluations have reportedly uncovered additional health complications that were not identified in the initial report from Kanu’s doctors. Furthermore, the court has directed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to conduct an independent evaluation. The findings from the NMA report are eagerly awaited, as they will provide another layer of verification regarding the extent of Kanu’s health deterioration. As it stands, it is undeniable that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is gravely ill.
The Stakes: A Call for Humantarianism and Stability
Honourable Aguocha’s plea to President Tinubu is for a transfer of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the DSS facility, which he describes as akin to a primary healthcare centre, to a well-equipped tertiary health facility. Such a move would ensure that Kanu receives the comprehensive and specialized medical attention his complex condition requires. The lawmaker issued a stark warning: should Kanu’s health continue to decline and he passes away while in detention, the consequences could be catastrophic and highly volatile, particularly in the Southeast region. The current situation is one that demands not only medical attention but also a careful consideration of the potential social and political ramifications.
Fundamental Rights and the Path Forward
Aguocha emphatically stated that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, like any other Nigerian, is entitled to his fundamental human rights, including the right to proper medical care, especially since he has not been convicted of any crime. “The same rights that should be availed to me or to any other Nigerian should also be accorded to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he asserted. The lawmaker underscored the urgency, stating, “I used the word on the verge of death because of the deteriorating conditions, as were assessed by his own doctors.” He reiterated that allowing Kanu to remain in his current unmanaged state is tantamount to accepting his potential demise. The transfer to a tertiary facility is presented as the most humane and sensible course of action, emphasizing that a living Nnamdi Kanu is more beneficial than a deceased one, especially considering he must stand trial.
The judge presiding over the case has also acknowledged the importance of Kanu being alive to face trial, underscoring the need for his medical condition to be adequately managed.
Sources:
- ARISE News – Nnamdi Kanu Critically Ill: Lawmaker Urges Tinubu to Act NOW!
- Premium Times – Reports on Nnamdi Kanu’s detainment conditions
About The Author
