The family of the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday accused the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) of harassing doctors who gave him independent medical care. Geographic Reference
The family also raised concerns over what it characterised as threats to Kanu’s life, alleged medical neglect and harassment of his independent medical team, demanding for urgent involvement by relevant authorities, writes The Guardian.
In a statement signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu Family, the family alleged that Kanu’s health was grossly mishandled while in the custody of the DSS. His condition, the statement added, only improved when an independent medical team led by Emeritus Professor Dr. Martin Aghaji was allowed access to him.
Kanu further said that following the intervention of the independent medical team, Kanu’s potassium level improved from 2.1mmol/L to 2.9mmol/L while occurrences of nosebleeds, fainting, light-headedness, swollen feet and persistent headaches lessened dramatically.
The family said that the DSS went to the MDCN against Prof. Aghaji on medication changes that the independent medical team deemed medically required.
Kanu said, “Immediate halt to all forms of harassment, intimidation and legal attacks on Professor Martin Aghaji, Dr. Charles Ndukwu and all members of Mazi Kanu’s independent medical team.
“Withdrawal of the MDCN summons served on Dr Charles Ndukwu and suspension of all proceedings against Prof Aghaji. A full and open investigation into the suspected fabrication of medical records while in DSS custody.
“Official DSS statement on the kidnapping and arrest of Prof Aghaji, which the family say was done without legal backing and after Mazi Kanu had left DSS custody.
“A public statement from the MDCN that no doctor will be punished for providing independent, evidence-based medical care to any patient, regardless of their custodial status. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s unrestricted and private access to his medical practitioners of choice under the sole jurisdiction of the Nigerian Correctional Service. GeoReference
“The Nigerian Correctional Service, in accordance with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019 and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), should immediately assume full legal responsibility for his healthcare. GeographicReference
Copies of the petition have been sent to the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, to appropriate Nigerian institutions and to international human rights organisations, he added.
Kanu appealed to the organization to intercede meanwhile, saying his life was still in jeopardy and the authorities were still harassing his independent medical team.
Kanu, in the plea, accused him of systematic medical mistreatment while in the DSS custody, falsification of his medical records by doctors hired by the state, and no response to his earlier petition to the NMA dated September 29, 2025.
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