Nnamdi Kanu alleges medical cover-up, harassment of doctors, demands

The legal battle involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has taken a fresh turn with allegations that extend beyond the courtroom into Nigeria’s medical and correctional systems.

In a detailed petition submitted from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu accused multiple government institutions of orchestrating what he described as a sustained campaign of medical neglect, intimidation of his personal physicians, and the alleged manipulation of his medical records during his detention.

The petition, dated August 1, 2026, was addressed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and copied to several local and international institutions, including the Nigerian Medical Association, the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation and foreign diplomatic authorities.

Allegations of Medical Neglect

Kanu said his petition was filed with “a deep sense of urgency and grave concern,” alleging that while he was held by the Department of State Services (DSS), he suffered prolonged medical neglect that endangered his life.

According to him, the petition seeks to formally document what he described as systematic denial of adequate medical care, alleged falsification of medical records by DSS-appointed doctors, and continued intimidation of the independent physicians who later treated him.

The IPOB leader stressed that the petition does not seek to revisit matters already before the Court of Appeal concerning his court-ordered medical examination, insisting instead that it focuses solely on the alleged harassment of his medical team and his right to independent healthcare.

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Medical Team Diagnosed Multiple Health Conditions

Central to Kanu’s claims is an independent medical assessment reportedly carried out by a team led by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji.

According to the petition, the examination diagnosed him with several serious medical conditions, including poorly controlled hypertension, severe hypokalemia, enlarged prostate, brain white matter disease, sleep apnea, chronic maxillary sinusitis, cardiac abnormalities, tinnitus and a painful mass allegedly requiring surgical removal.

Kanu claimed that treatment administered by the team resulted in noticeable improvements in his health.

He stated that his potassium level reportedly increased from 2.1 mmol/L to 2.9 mmol/L, while symptoms including recurrent nosebleeds, dizziness, fainting spells, swollen feet and persistent headaches significantly reduced.

He argued that without the intervention of the independent medical team, his health could have deteriorated irreversibly.

Doctors Allegedly Targeted

One of the most serious allegations contained in the petition is Kanu’s claim that the physicians who treated him have become targets of coordinated reprisals.

He alleged that Professor Aghaji became the subject of an MDCN investigation following a complaint by the DSS and was later abducted by individuals he believes were DSS operatives.

He also claimed that another member of his medical team, Dr. Charles Ndukwu, was summoned before the MDCN Investigation Panel, while his longtime personal physician, identified as Dr. Cifne, was repeatedly denied access to him.

According to Kanu, these actions represent “a coordinated campaign to intimidate, investigate and sanction” every doctor involved in documenting his medical condition.

He further accused the DSS of attempting to discredit Professor Aghaji through a formal complaint to the MDCN, describing the move as retaliation rather than a genuine concern over medical ethics.

Silence of Professional Bodies

Kanu also criticised the Nigerian Medical Association, alleging that it failed to respond to a formal complaint he submitted on September 29, 2025.

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He argued that despite what he described as evidence of medical negligence and record falsification, the association had remained silent.

According to him, that silence amounts to institutional complicity in the alleged violations.

Health Concerns Remain

Although Kanu is now under the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service following his conviction, he insisted that many of his diagnosed health conditions remain untreated.

He specifically highlighted tinnitus-induced sleep deprivation, warning that the combination of chronic sleep loss, hypertension and unstable potassium levels places him at risk of stroke, collapse or sudden death.

He argued that responsibility for his healthcare now rests squarely with the Nigerian Correctional Service under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, as well as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, commonly known as the Mandela Rules.

According to the petition, those obligations include ensuring access to adequate healthcare, allowing treatment by physicians of his choice and protecting him from intimidation or reprisals.

Demands for Independent Investigation

Kanu urged the Nigerian Correctional Service to assume full responsibility for his medical care, grant unrestricted access to his preferred doctors and transfer him to a specialist medical facility capable of managing his reported health conditions.

He also called on the DSS to halt what he described as harassment of his physicians and explain the alleged abduction of Professor Aghaji.

In addition, the petition asked the MDCN to suspend disciplinary proceedings against Professor Aghaji, withdraw its summons to Dr. Charles Ndukwu and investigate allegations that DSS-appointed doctors falsified his medical records.

The IPOB leader further appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation to order an independent investigation into the alleged intimidation of his medical team.

International Attention Sought

Copies of the petition were also sent to several international stakeholders, including the United States Secretary of State, the British Foreign Secretary, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, signalling Kanu’s intention to draw international attention to his claims.

He maintained that the alleged campaign against his physicians has continued even after his conviction and warned that any further interference by state agencies would undermine both the rule of law and his constitutional right to healthcare.

As of the time of filing this report, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigerian Medical Association had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in Kanu’s petition. The claims remain allegations made by Kanu and have not been independently verified.