DSS Breaks Silence, Debunks Kanu’s “Quack Doctors” Allegation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has refuted allegations by detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, that he was denied proper medical care and subjected to treatment by unqualified personnel.

At the Court of Appeal in Abuja, counsel to the DSS, I. Awo, told the panel that contrary to Kanu’s assertions, the IPOB leader had never been treated by a quack within the service’s custody. Awo argued that the appellant, who is standing trial on terrorism-related charges, has consistently received professional medical attention, and urged the court to dismiss his appeal for lack of merit.

Supporting the DSS, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, T. Agber, also prayed the court to uphold the earlier ruling of the trial court.

On his part, Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, argued that the appeal was targeted at overturning the June 3, 2022 judgment of retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He contended that the trial court erred by failing to allow oral evidence to establish whether Kanu was indeed subjected to treatment by unqualified medical personnel.

Opara stressed that the case bordered on the right to life, insisting that his client deserved access to certified medical experts. He maintained that there was a clear conflict between the parties’ positions, which, in his view, could only be resolved through oral testimony. He therefore urged the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s decision.

After listening to submissions from both sides, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Boloukuromo Ugo and including Justices Okon Abang and Oyejoju Oyewumi, reserved judgment to a date to be communicated.

Kanu has consistently alleged that his health is deteriorating in DSS custody and that his fundamental rights, including the right to medical care and freedom of religion, are being violated. However, in the 2022 ruling, Justice Taiwo dismissed his claims, holding that Kanu failed to provide convincing evidence of rights violations, torture, or denial of qualified medical attention.

The judge further ruled that while Kanu has the constitutional right to practise his religion, such rights cannot be exercised in a manner that disrupts the peace of other detainees.