*Orders the sessions to be recorded
In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), granting him access to receive medical care from a doctor of his choice.
The court’s decision comes as Kanu’s health condition reportedly worsens, and he urgently requires ear surgery.
Justice Binta Nyako presided over the case and issued the order to the Department of State Service (DSS), instructing them to allow Kanu to have access to a medical doctor for the necessary treatment.
This ruling was seen as a recognition of Kanu’s right to receive medical services, even while in detention.
Additionally, the court further mandated that all medical sessions administered to Kanu be monitored, recorded, and sealed by the DSS for security purposes.
This measure aims to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the medical care process for the detained IPOB leader.
The judgment also included the dismissal of preliminary objections filed by the DSS against the application.
These objections challenged the notion of granting medical access to Kanu while in custody.
However, the court’s ruling clarified that irrespective of his detention status, he has the right to proper medical attention.
The crux of Kanu’s plea before the court was to obtain permission for an independent medical examination, in the form of a judicial review through an order of Mandamus.
This review was crucial to ascertain his actual state of health, and it aligns with a previous order made by Justice Binta Nyako on October 21, 2021.
The court upheld his right to seek such an examination in line with the express provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.
Furthermore, Kanu also sought the court’s order to access his medical records from June 29, 2021, to the present.
The records he requested included admission records, medical and clinical notes, nursing notes, observation charts, documentation during treatment or hospital stay, laboratory test results, pharmaceutical records, radiological scans, blood transfusion records, physiotherapy and rehabilitative treatment records, clinical findings, diagnosis, and prescribed treatment records.
This ruling has significant implications for Kanu’s well-being and his legal battle.
The court’s decision ensures that he can receive proper medical attention for his health condition, addressing the urgency of the ear surgery required.
The situation has drawn attention not only from his supporters within the IPOB but also from human rights activists concerned about the treatment of detainees and their access to medical care.
As the situation unfolds, the court’s order to record all medical sessions aims to safeguard against any potential abuses and protect the rights of the detained leader.
The provision of Kanu’s medical records will also contribute to transparency and enable him to make informed decisions about his healthcare moving forward.
