By John Akubo
A group of medical practitioners, under the aegis of Biafra Medical Practitioners (BMP), has called for immediate release of detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over his alleged worsening health condition.
The group made the call in a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Abuja.
According to the statement, the medical practitioners affirmed that Kanu required immediate release for urgent medical assessment and treatment.
Recall that Kanu was arrested by security officials in Kenya and brought to Abuja on June 27, 2021.
He was subsequently arraigned with a blindfold before Binta Nyako, a Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him in response to years of campaign for the independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.
The medical practitioners claimed a recent medical report, released in Nigeria, revealed that Kanu has a pre-existing heart condition, which, according to them, has worsened by his continuous imprisonment, “due to poor nutrition, psychological torture, social isolation and electrolyte imbalance.”
The statement reads: “We, Biafra Medical Practitioners (BMP), would like to bring your attention to the urgent need for proper medical care to Kanu, the leader of IPOB, who is currently in solitary confinement under the custody of Department of State Services (DSS).
“Kanu requires immediate release for independent medical treatment. He is a British citizen, and, as such, should be sent to his country of citizenship for proper medical treatment.”
“Kanu was kidnapped from Kenya and renditioned to Abuja on June 27, 2021, where he remains incarcerated, despite several trial court rulings, including the Appeal Court of Nigeria, which had acquitted and discharged him of all charges.
“In light of Kanu’s kidnapping and rendition by the Nigerian government, he cannot receive proper medical care in Nigeria. For him to receive fair, humane and adequate medical care, he must be sent abroad. Since his detention at the DSS facility, it is reported that he has been denied food and proper medication, which has worsened his health. Evidently, there is an inherent bias in his treatment, which is a violation of his human rights.”
Source: The Guardian
