See Reasons Why Nnamdi Kanu May die in detention.

In recent past days, social media and the mainstream media were awash with news of the ‘rearrest’ of the leader of The Indigenous People Of Biafra- IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been at large for over a year. He was said to have been arrested in Kenya through concerted efforts of intelligence agencies. He was afterwards, extradited to Nigeria, and was also arraigned before the Judge that was handling his case before his sudden disappearance.

Before Kanu’s disappearance, he was answering a seven-count court charge that borders on terrorism, felony, treason, etc.

Few days after Kanu’s ‘rearrest’, his lawyer, Barrister Ejiofor, made an attempt to see him and have some words with him. It was successful.

The news that followed this visit was that Kanu was critically ill and needed some urgent medical attention. He was said to have undergone a different degree of torture that affected his heart. However, the call to grant him permission to see a Doctor appeared to fall on deaf ears, as no one has reported that he has finally gotten medical attention.

If care is not taken, Kanu may soon join the long list of Nigerians who died in detention. On 7th July 1998, the 1993 winner of the famous June 12 presidential election, Mashood Abiola, went the way of all mortals in prison under a mysterious circumstance. In 2017, the Federal House Of Representatives decried the horrible death of over 900 inmates, who died as a result of poor medical care. The list of inmates who died in prison is unlimited.

Thus, Kanu should be allowed to see a doctor and get proper medical care, as section 12(1) of the prison act,2004 grants him that right. Nigerian government should act within the constitution and grant Kanu access to proper medical care.

If Kanu dies in prison, the perception of many Nigerians about the President and his dictatorial traits will be reinforced.