Kanu’s Health Battle Puts Nigeria’s Justice System On Trial
By DAVID JOHN-FLUKE
THE courtroom in Abuja was tense on Friday as Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court paused proceedings to consider whether Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be allowed treatment at the National Hospital. What appears on the surface as a routine medical request has, once again, exposed the clash between human rights, state security, and Nigeria’s credibility in handling high-profile cases.
Since his arrest and detention in 2021, Kanu has remained in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), battling terrorism and treason charges that he insists are politically motivated. But beyond the legal drama, his recurring health complaints have become a litmus test for whether the Nigerian justice system prioritises due process over political calculation.
The Arguments Inside Court
Kanu’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Onyechi Ikpeazu, insists the IPOB leader suffers from critical health issues, including potassium deficiency, citing a recent medical evaluation by a professor of medicine. Their demand is simple: transfer him to the National Hospital for expert care.
The SSS, however, pushed back hard. Prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo accused Kanu of defying medical instructions, altering his prescriptions without approval, and suggested he could be plotting an escape. The government, he argued, already asked the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to independently assess Kanu’s condition, dismissing calls for foreign treatment as reckless given his “flight risk” status.
Justice Omotosho, visibly concerned about balancing rights with national security, asked both parties to address the core question: Is Kanu medically fit to stand trial?
What’s at Stake
This is more than a battle over hospital transfers. At its heart lies the credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary and its security agencies. If Kanu’s health continues to decline under SSS watch, questions of negligence—or worse, deliberate denial—will dominate public discourse. If the court bends entirely to security concerns, critics will argue that the judiciary has once again been reduced to a political tool.
A Broader Pattern of Restrictions
Friday’s request is just the latest in a string of grievances. Kanu has previously complained about restrictions on his attire, limited access to his lawyers, and curtailed visits from his family. While the court recently ordered the SSS to grant him unhindered legal access, enforcement remains patchy.
The Bigger Question
Nigeria now faces a stark test: can the state prosecute a separatist leader within the bounds of human rights and fair trial standards? Or will the optics of prolonged detention, health disputes, and courtroom delays further erode confidence in its justice system?
Whatever Justice Omotosho rules, this case has become less about one man and more about the nation’s democratic maturity. Kanu’s body may be on trial, but so too is Nigeria’s commitment to justice.
