The Department of State Services (DSS) has opposed the request by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to be moved from its custody to the National Hospital in Abuja for medical treatment.

 

In a 37-paragraph counter-affidavit, the DSS disputed claims by Kanu’s medical consultant that his health is deteriorating, describing the report as exaggerated and intended to create a false public narrative.

 

Dr. Mohammed Nasir, a medical officer with the DSS, stated that the agency’s clinic has some of the best facilities in the country, with qualified specialists capable of handling Kanu’s medical needs. He added that the IPOB leader is “safe, secured and enjoying meals of his choice upon demands” and has been receiving regular specialist care from doctors invited from the National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

 

The DSS recalled that when Kanu was brought into custody in 2021, he had a five-year history of hypertension with hypertensive heart disease, low serum potassium levels and recurrent nosebleeds. Over the years, specialists including Dr. Abiodun Olugbenga of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, Dr. Onye Achillihu of Heartland Cardiovascular Consultants Limited, and more recently Professor Martin Aghaji, have treated him.

 

The agency accused Prof. Aghaji of unilaterally altering Kanu’s treatment plan and excluding DSS medical officers. It said that in a letter dated August 24, 2025, Aghaji claimed Kanu was being denied adequate access to healthcare — a position the DSS dismissed as “speculative” and “an unjustifiable alarm.”

 

The secret police further argued that transferring Kanu to the National Hospital would require heavy security deployment, cause inconvenience to other patients and families, and could compromise his safety. It maintained that his ailments can be managed effectively in-house.

 

Kanu, through his lawyer Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), had filed a motion seeking his transfer to the National Hospital based on medical findings indicating issues with his pancreas, liver, a lump under his armpit and dangerously low potassium levels. His younger brother Emmanuel Kanu said the doctors recommended the move to prevent further health decline.

 

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declined to hear the application. Justice Musa Liman ruled that his fiat to sit as a vacation judge had expired and therefore he lacked jurisdiction to entertain the fresh motion.