The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has attacked the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the bad condition of Nnamdi Kanu who is being detained for alleged treason in DSS facility.
Recall that Kanu’s Lawyers had raised alarm in a statement on Thursday alleging that the DSS refused to grant the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) access to his personal medical team to treat his failing health.
According to Kanu’s Counsel, “Till date, the DSS has denied his (Kanu) repeated requests for an independent medical examination to determine the extent of damage done to his body by a suspected substance he may have been injected with during this abduction and extraordinary rendition.”
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Deteriorating In DSS Custody – Lawyers
Reacting on Thursday, the spokesman for Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, while condemning the situation, told The Punch that the bad treatment of Kanu by the DSS will attract international attention.
He said, “We have to find a way to talk to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and other authorities concerned in this matter that it helps the image of Nigeria if we are in the news for good reasons.
“The issue of Nnamdi Kanu has gone beyond the shores of this country; whatever happened to him will attract international attention. So how we are viewed by the comity of nations is very important, it goes beyond Nnamdi Kanu, it affects everything to which Nigeria stands for.
“Therefore, Ohanaeze advises that Nnamdi Kanu should be handled with care and whatever is happening should fit into the global best practices; trial of Nnamdi Kanu, condition he stays should be made open.
“People should have access to him as is supposed to be within the rule that is obtained by the people that are in detention of that kind. But to subject him to suffering like his lawyers are talking about is objectionable.”
He added that he would take the matter to the National Executive Committee of Ohaneze Ndigbo, adding that Kanu’s interest would be protected just as it would protect the interest of any Igbo anywhere in the world.
“What his lawyers said, I will take it to the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. But my advice now is that Nigeria should not attract opprobrium onto itself,” Ogbonnia said.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vantage News Nigeria or any employee thereof.
