The Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has warned the Federal Government that the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu must not die in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Wakadaily earlier reported that Kanu’s lawyer said the DSS has denied Nnamdi Kanu, access to his doctor, as he had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorder following persistent heartburn.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor said: “Presently, Onyendu is experiencing gastro intestine disorder, which requires regular intake of antacids and other availing medical solutions, following persistent heartburn. Unfortunately, the DSS has denied him the least of the prescribed painkiller tablet that could provide momentary relief.”
Reacting to that the Ohanaeze gave the warning on Tuesday in a statement titled ‘Nnamdi Kanu must not die in prison’ by the group’s national spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
The statement read: ‘The attention of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to the deteriorating health of the Leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Information reaching us indicates that ‘Nnamdi Kanu is currently suffering from gastrointestinal illness, which necessitates the constant use of antacids and other available medical treatments.’”
“It adds that ‘the DSS has refused to allow him have even the smallest amount of the prescribed painkiller, which could have given him short-term respite.
“Report from Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the IPOB’s attorney, further adds that ‘the DSS has repeatedly treated the existing court order—which specifically directed that Nnamdi Kanu should be granted access to his doctor for an independent review/investigation of his current health status—with the utmost contempt and disdain.
He said, “The above report should be very worrisome to any fair-minded patriotic Nigerian, the fair-minded and patriotic because it is self-evident that the Nnamdi Kanu phenomenon is a product of circumstances.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization and several eminent Igbo have repeatedly appealed to the heart of Mr President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the premise of a political solution.
“The only living legend among those that fought for the Nigerian independence and the minister of Aviation in the First Republic, Chief Mbazulike Amechi presented the request to President Buhari when he visited Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, as his last wish.
“Finally, it is common knowledge that the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu has rather contributed to the enormity of insecurity in the South East and one wonders what will happen if by the utter carelessness, negligence or unnecessary victimization, something untoward happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Instructively, many uninformed Nigerians share the base reasoning of the proverbial ostrich; the ostrich buries its head in the sand, joyously flapping its wings, and believes that it has escaped from reality. As in the ostrich, the civilised world is watching!
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor urged the federal government to embrace the values of justice, equity and fairness in their true sense for real peace, progress, unity and development to thrive in Nigeria.”
