DSS confirms that Nnamdi Kanu was recently allowed to get treatment at a medical facility

DEPARTMENT of State Services (DSS) officials have confirmed that Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu was recently allowed out of detention to receive medical treatment and access to his personal doctors.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. In a dramatic development, in June 2021, Mr Kanu was abducted in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he has since been arrayed in court in Abuja, with fresh charges added to the pending ones.

Amid concerns about his failing health, Mr Kanu's legal team had requested that the court allow him to see his doctors. Yesterday, the DSS revealed that Mr Kanu was granted access to doctors recently but the man was still in its custody.

One DSS source said that contrary to reports in the media, Mr Kanu was granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of the service. According to the DSS sources, access to doctors for suspects in custody is routine in line with the standard operating procedure of the service.

He said: “Let it be known to all that Kanu’s access to his personal doctors is also in line with the order of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Apart from being routine, Kanu was also granted access to his personal doctors in line with the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

“Reports that Kanu was released to see his personal doctors is baseless because the access granted him was under the supervision of the DSS. The DSS is an organisation that believes in the rule of law and so, will continue to comply with orders of the court.”