Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has announced that Mr. Kanu has undergone a medical examination at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja. The examination took place on Friday, according to Mr. Ejiofor’s statement on Saturday.
Mr. Kanu has been detained at the State Security Service (SSS) facility since his rearrest in June 2021, facing a terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He has repeatedly requested access to his personal medical doctors for an independent medical examination, as ordered by the court on October 20, 2021. However, the SSS has refused to grant him access.
In response to the SSS’ refusal, Mr. Kanu filed a lawsuit against the security agency at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order to grant him unhindered access to medical doctors of his choice for his health condition. The SSS argued that the IPOB leader was “clinically stable” and had been receiving adequate medical attention at its facility.
On July 20, Judge Binta Nyako delivered a judgment ordering the SSS to grant Mr. Kanu access to his medical records and doctors of his choice. The court ruled that Mr. Kanu is constitutionally entitled to his medical records and personal physicians for “an independent medical examination,” which should be supervised by the SSS, with the entire process recorded and sealed for security purposes.
Following the court’s order, Mr. Kanu’s counsel confirmed that the medical examination was carried out outside the SSS facility and described it as “seamless and productive.” Mr. Ejiofor also stated that Mr. Kanu would progress to the next stage soon, without providing further details.
The situation surrounding Mr. Kanu’s medical examination has been closely watched, given the high-profile nature of his trial and his status as the leader of IPOB, a proscribed separatist group.
