Nnamdi Kanu's Health Imperative: Federal High Court to Hear Motion on Sept 15th.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
Written by Nnnamdi Iheukwumere
As Nigeria grapples with ongoing separatist tensions in its southeast, a poignant human rights drama unfolds in the Federal High Court. On September 15, 2025—tomorrow, as of this writing—Justice Musa Liman is set to hear an urgent motion from Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking transfer to Abuja's National Hospital for immediate medical care. Kanu's legal team, led by Kanu Agabi, has painted a dire picture: examinations reveal deteriorating health, including issues with his pancreas and liver, an emerging lump under his armpit, and critically low potassium levels. Doctors recommend the move as an "interim measure" to prevent further decline, especially given his confinement conditions under the Department of State Services (DSS). A letter from physicians to the DSS director-general reportedly went unanswered, prompting this ex-parte application during the court's vacation period.
Justice Liman's preliminary stance resonates deeply: "The right to health is as important as the right to life." This acknowledgment underscores a fundamental principle—that even amid terrorism charges, which Kanu has faced since his 2021 rendition from Kenya, basic human dignity must prevail. Yet, the Nigerian government's track record invites skepticism. The DSS has historically resisted similar requests, such as denying oral evidence on Kanu's health in prior proceedings. Claims of deliberate neglect, including past allegations of detaining him near tuberculosis patients, have fueled accusations of mistreatment. With the federal government closing its case against him earlier this year, linking him to events like the EndSARS protests—a connection IPOB deems baseless—the prolonged detention raises questions about political motivations over justice.
Internationally, Kanu's plight has drawn sharp scrutiny. The United Nations has issued urgent appeals to Nigeria and Kenya, demanding protection of his rights and highlighting concerns over torture and health deterioration in detention. The UK's Court of Appeal has expressed "deep concern" about his treatment, emphasizing implications for British citizens abroad given Kanu's dual nationality. Human rights reports, including from the U.S. State Department, note his ongoing hold on national security grounds, amid broader criticisms of Nigeria's handling of separatist figures. Activists and supporters worry that global silence enables such delays, potentially violating international standards where pre-trial detention should be exceptional, not indefinite.
This case is more than a medical footnote; it's a litmus test for Nigeria's commitment to the rule of law. Granting the transfer would not prejudice the DSS, as Agabi argues, and could avert a humanitarian crisis. Refusal, however, risks escalating tensions in the region, where IPOB's calls for Biafran Sovereignty amid economic grievances and security challenges. The government must recognize that addressing Kanu's health transparently could de-escalate broader conflicts, fostering dialogue over division. As the court convenes, Nigeria has an opportunity to affirm that justice encompasses compassion—failure to do so would only deepen distrust in its institutions.
