Federal High Court Fixes Date to Decide on Nnamdi Kanu’s Medical Transfer

The Federal High Court has scheduled Monday to hear a motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, seeking a transfer to the Abuja National Hospital for urgent medical attention.

The Federal High Court will on Monday hear a motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking an order transferring him to the Abuja National Hospital for urgent medical attention.

Justice Musa Liman had earlier granted the motion ex-parte, allowing the matter to be heard during the vacation period in view of its urgency. He fixed September 15 for the hearing and directed Kanu’s lawyer, Uchenna Njoku, SAN, to serve all processes and hearing notices on the Department of State Services (DSS).

“I believe that the right to health is as important as the right to life. And so I agree that this matter can be heard by the vacation court,” Justice Liman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, in the ex-parte motion with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, sought a relief. The motion, dated September 2 but filed on September 3 by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, requested “granting leave for the applicant’s motion dated 1st September, 2025 to be heard before the vacation judge.”

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Agabi argued that Kanu, who is standing trial before Justice James Omotosho on terrorism charges, had previously applied for bail on May 19, but the matter was not taken before the court’s annual vacation. He said the continued detention worsened his client’s condition, prompting doctors to conduct extensive examinations.

“The examination revealed issues to his health including organs such as his pancreas and liver as well as an emerging lump underneath his armpit and dangerously low levels of potassium. The doctors have recommended that he be moved to the National Hospital as an interim measure to afford him medical attention and forestall further decline,” Agabi told the court.

He further alleged that a letter from the doctors to the Director-General of the DSS, advising Kanu’s transfer, had gone unanswered.

Emmanuel Kanu, his younger brother, also deposed to an affidavit stating that the IPOB leader recently complained of weakness and pain, which led to the involvement of medical experts led by Emeritus Professor Austin A.C. Agaji. Tests conducted in August reportedly confirmed complications involving his liver, kidney, and potassium levels, as well as a swelling around his armpit requiring urgent attention.

Agabi insisted that granting the application would not prejudice the DSS, adding that the court “is imbued with jurisdiction to hear and grant the prayers sought in the application.”