The lead personal physician to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has raised serious health concerns over his sudden transfer to the Sokoto Correctional Facility, less than 24 hours after his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu was moved from DSS custody in Abuja to Sokoto on November 21, 2025, prompting alarm from his medical team, family, and supporters, who fear the relocation could worsen his already fragile health.
In a letter dated November 19, 2025, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and made available to journalists, Prof. M.A. C. Aghaji described the transfer as abrupt, medically dangerous, and ill-timed, coming immediately after the IPOB leader’s conviction.
“As Kanu’s lead personal physician, I am compelled to raise the alarm over the sudden and deeply troubling decision to relocate my patient to Sokoto,” Prof. Aghaji wrote, emphasizing that Kanu has been under specialized, intensive medical care throughout his detention at the DSS medical facility in Abuja.
The doctor explained that Kanu’s condition requires regular monitoring of his blood profile, particularly serum potassium levels, and that he takes daily potassium supplements to manage a dangerously low potassium level. These evaluations, conducted three times weekly, are critical to preventing life-threatening complications.
Prof. Aghaji warned that Sokoto, over 600 kilometres from Abuja, lacks the facilities and access necessary for this level of care, effectively severing Kanu from essential medical support. “If these evaluations are interrupted, he faces a high risk of complications that could be fatal,” he said.
Appealing for urgent intervention, the physician urged President Tinubu and the Nigerian Correctional Service to reverse the decision, stressing that Kanu’s health must be prioritized above all considerations.
The transfer followed Kanu’s conviction on charges of terrorism, incitement, and managing an unlawful group. His brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, described the relocation as a threat to his life, while traditional rulers in Abia State also called on the president to seek political solutions.
While Kanu’s legal team is expected to appeal the ruling, Prof. Aghaji emphasized that his medical care cannot be compromised and offered to provide any further clarification to the President.
If you want, I can also create a 9-word headline and a punchy version for broadcast or social media. Do you want me to do that?