The Indigenous People of Biafra has alleged that the Department of State Services abducted the personal physician to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in an attempt to suppress medical evidence relating to his health and ongoing appeal.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group claimed that Emeritus Prof. Martin Aghaji, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, was arrested during a midnight raid on his residence in Enugu before being taken to Abuja and later Lagos.
IPOB alleged that the physician was subsequently released following the intervention of Kanu’s legal team and the Nigerian Medical Association.
The group described the alleged arrest as an attack on the medical profession, claiming the physician was targeted for expressing his views on Kanu’s health condition.
It further alleged that lawyers and medical professionals involved in Kanu’s case had faced intimidation, unlawful detention, threats and attempts to influence judicial proceedings.
IPOB also alleged irregularities surrounding a medical examination it claimed was ordered by the Federal High Court, insisting that no medical panel was constituted by the Nigerian Medical Association and that Kanu’s personal physician was not involved in the exercise.
According to the group, a medical report presented in the case was dated before the court allegedly ordered the examination, describing the development as fraudulent and a key issue in Kanu’s appeal.
The group further claimed that the alleged arrest of Aghaji was aimed at compelling him to alter or suppress his independent medical opinion on Kanu’s health.
IPOB also criticised the judgment delivered in Kanu’s case, alleging that he was convicted under a repealed law and calling for international scrutiny of the legal proceedings and medical records connected to the appeal.
The group urged international human rights organisations, as well as the governments of the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom, to examine the court records and documents relating to the case.
It maintained that it would continue to campaign for Kanu’s unconditional release.
Note: The allegations contained in the statement are claims made by IPOB and had not been independently verified. The Department of State Services had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of the statement.
