Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has asked the Federal High Court to transfer him to Kuje prison.
He claimed that the Department of State Services does not have adequate medical facilities for his treatment and that there is a plot to kill him while he is in their custody.
“People will come to see me, but I will not allow them. They do not have a medical facility. I’ve got congestive heart failure. They’re patching me up.
Read Also: Court to hear Nnamdi Kanu’s N1bn suit against FG, DSS, April 18
“My foot’s swollen. I asked if they could perform surgery, and they said no. There is a conspiracy to die in detention. Kanu told the court today that he wants to be transferred to Kuje.
Kanu brought this matter to the attention of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday, after the court denied his bail request.
According to Naija News, the IPOB leader has been in the custody of the DSS since his extradition in June 2021 and is facing charges of treasonable felony.
Kanu expressed his dissatisfaction with his treatment by the secret police in court today.
Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, had previously requested that his client be transferred to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Kanu was then granted permission to address the court by Justice Nyako.
Kanu revealed during his address that he has Cognitive Heart Disease.
In an attempt to provide evidence of his mistreatment, he removed his shirt in court and showed the judge his ribs and chest. He claimed that the doctors at the DSS facility did not have the necessary medication to treat his condition. Kanu claimed that the DSS is only providing temporary solutions to prevent him from dying in custody.
Furthermore, Kanu accused the DSS of conspiring to kill him while in custody. He questioned why he was brought back to court after the Supreme Court ruled that he had not jumped bail.
Kanu expressed his desire to be transferred to Kuje prison in order to receive proper medical treatment as required by law, claiming that the DSS has denied him access to quality healthcare.
However, Justice Nyako stated that she will decide on the best location for Kanu’s detention, as Kuje prison was not an option due to previous incidents of suspects escaping.
Despite his obvious distress, Kanu stated that he cannot proceed with the trial without adequate medical care. He asked for an alternative, such as house arrest, and claimed his trial was politically motivated.
As a result, the judge set the trial date for April 17, 2024.
