Nnamdi Kanu health crisis deepens as lawyers alert the World Medical Association over alleged medical neglect by Nigeria’s DSS
Nnamdi Kanu health crisis has drawn international attention after his legal team petitioned the World Medical Association (WMA) over alleged life-threatening neglect by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS).
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In a letter dated 3 October 2025, written by the Washington-based law offices of Bruce Fein and addressed to Dr Jacqueline Kitulu, President of the WMA, the lawyers accused the DSS of denying the detained IPOB leader proper medical care for over four years.
The correspondence, which was copied to the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the Director General of the DSS, the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council, and the President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), alleged that Kanu’s medical records had been manipulated to conceal the extent of his deteriorating condition.
The letter warned that Nnamdi Kanu was suffering from several life-threatening ailments caused by prolonged solitary confinement and lack of appropriate medical treatment since his controversial arrest and rendition from Kenya in 2021.
Bruce Fein, representing Kanu, urged the WMA to investigate the DSS’s handling of his client’s health, accusing Nigerian authorities of “criminal medical neglect” and violation of international human rights norms.
The appeal also called on the WMA to pressure the Nigeria Medical Association to uphold professional ethics and protect independent doctors treating Kanu from intimidation or retaliation.
According to the petition, a medical assessment conducted by a panel of NMA doctors on 22 September 2025 corroborated earlier diagnoses by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, who was credited with saving Kanu from imminent collapse.
The report, however, has yet to be released, despite a Federal High Court directive.
The lawyers said Nnamdi Kanu continues to suffer severe hypertension, organ-related ailments, and tinnitus, which causes constant ringing in his ears and chronic sleep deprivation conditions described as potentially fatal if untreated.
The letter accused a DSS-appointed physician, Dr Nasiru Mohammed, of falsifying test results and downplaying the seriousness of Kanu’s potassium deficiency, while barring independent medical professionals from providing adequate care.
The legal team urged the WMA to intervene immediately, warning that without urgent international medical oversight, Nnamdi Kanu’s condition could lead to stroke, collapse, or sudden death.
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As of press time, the DSS has not issued an official response to the allegations.
