The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to hear a motion filed by detained Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking urgent transfer from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention.
Presiding judge, Justice Musa Liman, in a brief ruling, said he lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter as his mandate to sit as a vacation judge expired on Monday. He therefore ordered that the case file be returned to the registry for reassignment by the Chief Judge.
Kanu, through his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had urged the court to compel the DSS to move him to the National Hospital. Agabi cited an 11-ground argument, stressing that the IPOB leader, who is standing trial before Justice James Omotosho, had earlier filed a bail application in May but it was not heard before the court’s annual vacation.
According to Agabi, Kanu’s health has since worsened, with medical examinations revealing complications involving his pancreas and liver, a lump under his armpit, and critically low potassium levels. He further alleged that a medical advisory letter sent by doctors to the DSS Director-General recommending immediate transfer to the National Hospital was ignored.
While ruling, Justice Liman emphasized that the Chief Judge would be advised to ensure speedy hearing of Kanu’s application given the sensitive health concerns raised.
