IPoB: Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Urgent Hospital Admission As Lawyer Petitions DSS Over Deteriorating Health Condition

 

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has once again raised concerns over his deteriorating health condition while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). His legal team, led by Special Counsel Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, has formally written to the Director-General of the DSS, urging immediate approval for his admission into a private medical facility in Abuja.

According to the letter dated September 23, 2025, the lawyers emphasized that Kanu requires urgent medical attention and cannot continue to rely solely on the medical care being provided within the DSS detention facility. The document, titled “Re: Request for your Urgent Approval of Hospital for the Admission of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, cited medical evaluations carried out by physicians under the supervision of the DSS, in the presence of Kanu’s brother and other family representatives.

The counsel explained that Kanu’s health challenges have become increasingly worrisome and stressed the importance of timely intervention to avoid escalation. Ejimakor disclosed that a specific hospital has already been chosen to handle the case. The facility, identified as Clover Hospital, is located at No. 11 Agadez Crescent, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. The attending physician assigned to oversee the treatment is Dr. Michael Eze, who has reportedly confirmed readiness to receive the IPOB leader without delay.

The letter noted that the hospital has set aside an urgent slot to admit Kanu either on the same day or the following day after receiving official clearance. Ejimakor appealed to the DSS boss for cooperation, adding that the matter is purely humanitarian and necessary to safeguard Kanu’s right to life and adequate healthcare.

Supporters of the IPOB leader have often accused the DSS of neglecting his medical needs, an allegation the agency has repeatedly denied. The current petition reflects growing anxiety among his family and legal team that his condition could worsen if specialized treatment is not provided in time. They argue that medical facilities within the DSS custody are inadequate for the complex health challenges confronting him.

The detained separatist figure has been in DSS custody since his arrest and repatriation to Nigeria in 2021. His prolonged detention has attracted global attention, with rights groups and international observers calling for fair treatment and access to proper healthcare. While the Nigerian government insists on prosecuting him on charges bordering on treasonable felony and other related offenses, his health struggles have become a central concern in the ongoing legal and political standoff.

Family members close to the matter expressed deep concern after learning of the results from the most recent medical evaluation. They insisted that failure to act swiftly could amount to endangering his life unnecessarily. Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who was reportedly present during the evaluation, joined in the appeal for urgent medical intervention, reiterating that the family is ready to support whatever arrangements are necessary to stabilize his brother’s condition.

This is not the first time Kanu’s legal team has raised alarm about his health while in custody. Earlier petitions and public statements have consistently called attention to what they describe as an alarming decline. Previous requests for medical treatment outside DSS custody have either been delayed or only partially granted, leading to concerns of deliberate obstruction.

Political observers believe that the new petition, coming with specific hospital arrangements and a named physician, places additional pressure on the DSS to act. Analysts note that further inaction may fuel renewed tensions among IPOB supporters and could draw fresh criticism from the international community. The matter has also revived debates around detainees’ rights in Nigeria, particularly concerning access to adequate medical care and the responsibilities of security agencies under both domestic and international law.

For now, attention turns to whether the DSS will approve the hospital transfer as requested. The coming days are expected to be crucial, as the urgency highlighted in the petition suggests that Kanu’s health needs cannot be postponed without consequences. The letter closes with a plea for humane consideration and immediate approval, framing the issue not as a political bargaining chip but as a matter of human survival.

The silence or response of the DSS will likely shape the next phase of legal and political narratives surrounding the IPOB leader. While his trial continues to generate heated discussions across the country, his health remains a sensitive factor capable of influencing public perception, diplomatic reactions, and possibly the overall trajectory of his legal battles.

At the heart of the appeal is the assertion that every detainee, regardless of political or ideological stance, is entitled to quality healthcare. The case of Nnamdi Kanu, therefore, has once again put Nigeria’s justice system and human rights obligations in the spotlight, reminding authorities that the world is watching.