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NMA conducts court-ordered checks on Kanu, submits report

Published

3 months ago

October 6, 2025

The Nigerian Medical Association has conducted the court-ordered health examinations on the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Secretary-General of the NMA, Dr. Ben Egbo, confirmed the development in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on September 26 ordered the NMA to, within eight days, constitute a panel of medical experts to assess the health condition of Kanu.

In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho ordered the NMA President to submit the committee’s report within eight days for consideration on whether Kanu should be transferred to the National Hospital for treatment.

On Sunday, the NMA’s Secretary-General, Egbo, said the evaluation had been done as ordered by the court, adding that the report had been submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation.

Egbo said, “The court gave an order that we should do it. I think, within eight days, and immediately the Department of State Services wrote to us, we summoned a committee of seven doctors with one coordinator, making it eight.

“We had the seven doctors from the seven geopolitical zones of Nigeria with different fields of specialty in Ophthalmology, Neurology, Urology, Gastroenterology, and other various areas of specialty.

“They went there, examined him (Kanu), and the committee wrote their report to us, and it was sent to the Attorney General of the Federation.”

The judge’s ruling followed an application by Kanu to be moved from the custody of the Department of State Services to the National Hospital, over what he described as his failing health.

The judge directed that the committee, among other tasks, should assess the DSS hospital to confirm whether it has the capacity to meet Kanu’s health needs.

Justice Omotosho further ruled that the NMA committee would be at liberty to make use of any hospital in the country for its investigations.

The General-Secretary emphasised that any further inquiries be directed to the Ministry of Justice.

“We have submitted the report to the Attorney General’s office as instructed. Anyone seeking details should contact the Ministry of Justice,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kanu, through his legal team, has petitioned the World Medical Association over what he described as serious health challenges and inadequate medical care while in the custody of the Department of State Services.

In a letter dated October 3, 2025, and signed by Kanu’s international counsel, Bruce Fein, on his behalf, and addressed to the WMA President, Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, Kanu claimed that his health condition had deteriorated due to insufficient medical attention in detention.

He stated that he “has been detained in a Nigerian facility in solitary confinement for more than four years without a trial. He was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2021.”

The letter, which was copied to the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja; the Department of State Services; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; and the Nigerian Medical Association, said the situation had reached “a life-threatening threshold.”

It appealed to the WMA to engage with the NMA to ensure that Kanu receives “the highest professional standard of medical care” and that “his medical providers are allowed to work without intimidation or interference.”

Kanu also requested the WMA, directly or through the NMA, to review what he described as irregularities in his medical records while in DSS custody.

The letter further sought protection for independent medical practitioners “from any possible retaliation for providing medical care to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

He demanded the release of the NMA medical team’s report of September 22, 2025, which the Federal High Court had directed to be filed within four days.

He warned that any delay could create “the real danger that a replacement panel may be assembled, thereby undermining the medical truth.”

According to the letter, Kanu’s health challenges reportedly began after his detention in Nairobi in June 2021.

“On arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, MNK was taken into custody by masked operatives and held for eight days in a confined room,” he wrote in the letter.

He said he was allegedly denied food, water, and prescribed medications for the first five days, leading to breathing difficulties and weakness.

“On the fifth day, when his body began to fail, a doctor was summoned. His blood pressure was dangerously high. MNK was given a 40mg dose of Amlodipine along with a red-coloured liquid,” the letter stated.

Kanu said his treatment in Kenya left him “physically weakened” by the time of his transfer to Nigeria.

In the DSS facility in Abuja, blood analysis allegedly revealed “a critical potassium deficiency,” prompting a series of medical prescriptions that reportedly failed to stabilize his condition.

“Whenever potassium supplements were withdrawn, MNK’s levels dropped again to the same life-threatening range,” he claimed, adding that a South African laboratory confirmed the deficiency.

He further alleged inconsistencies in his medical test results under one of the physicians assigned to him in custody.

“From the moment he assumed control, the doctor began recording normal potassium levels when in reality they were low,” he wrote.

Under what he described as inadequate care, Kanu reportedly continued to experience nosebleeds, fainting spells, chest pains, headaches, and swelling of the feet.

“Over 50 blood samples have been taken during MNK’s time in DSS custody, but these have yielded no improvement in his health under the management of the assigned doctors,” the letter stated.

He praised Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, a respected surgeon, for stabilising his condition when he was eventually allowed to intervene.

“It is no exaggeration to say that without Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji’s intervention, my health would have deteriorated beyond recovery,” Kanu was quoted as saying.

The letter added that Professor Aghaji confirmed a range of health concerns affecting Kanu’s liver, kidneys, bladder, prostate, and white matter, as well as sleep apnea and severe tinnitus.

“Among the gravest threats to MNK’s survival today is tinnitus. It robs him of sleep, exacerbates hypertension, magnifies chest pain, and places him in immediate danger of stroke, collapse, or sudden death,” Fein wrote.

He said sleep deprivation combined with existing hypertension, organ strain, and potassium instability “places MNK in immediate danger of stroke, collapse, or sudden death.”

According to the letter, the NMA’s medical assessment of September 22, 2025, confirmed Aghaji’s findings and identified an additional condition requiring nasal surgery.

“The Federal High Court has ordered that the report of this assessment be submitted within four days,” he wrote. “Any delay creates the real danger that a replacement panel may be assembled, thereby undermining the medical truth.”

The letter urged that the conduct of all medical personnel involved in Kanu’s treatment be reviewed to ensure compliance with professional ethics.

“Neglect of tinnitus and sleep deprivation shows a disregard for the life-threatening impact of untreated conditions,” Fein stated.

He appealed to the WMA to ensure the release of the NMA report, protect Professor Aghaji’s role as Kanu’s physician, review the treatment he has received, and recognise tinnitus and sleep deprivation as urgent medical issues.

“Without immediate decisive action by the WMA and NMA, the medical neglect of MNK may prove fatal,” he warned.

As of the time of filing this report, the DSS could not be reached for comment, as the agency currently has no official spokesperson.

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea