Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer says his client is having serious breathing difficulties and may lose his life

INDIGENOUS People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu is having serious breathing problems and could lose his life if not given urgent medical attention according to his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. In a dramatic development, in June last year, Mr Kanu was abducted in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he has since been arrayed in court in Abuja, with fresh charges added to the pending ones.

Representing him in court yesterday, Mr Ejimakor said Mr Kanu’s heart is failing him and he is having severe breathing problems. He also lamented the fact that the Ipob leader has not received adequate medical attention while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

To address the matter, Mr Ejimakor appealed to the International Red Cross Society to facilitate and immediate and independent medical examination of Mr Kanu. He urged the Red Cross to bring get the Nigerian government to grant Mr Kanu the opportunity of an independent medical examination and care within the shortest possible time.

Mr Ejimakor added: “Our client informs us that his blood has been drawn more than 20 times without explanation and that he continues to feel apprehension and dread that he is in custody of those that partook in his extra-ordinary rendition. His health, particularly his heart, is failing him and he was having severe breathing issues that his fingernails are cracking and he feels dizzy.

"He told us that he was not receiving the necessary medical care even when the government of Nigeria is aware from his in-jail medical examination that his heart has enlarged by 13%. He said serious medical problems require the urgent and constant attention of specialist doctors, which are not being given to him in the detention facility. In this circumstance, he is daily facing the grim and imminent risk of losing his life in detention.”