The family of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu has renewed concerns about his health, urging authorities to ensure he continues to receive medical care from independent doctors.

In a statement issued by Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu family, the family alleged that Kanu’s health deteriorated while in custody due to inadequate medical management before an independent team of doctors was allowed to examine him.

According to the statement, Kanu reportedly suffered from critically low potassium levels, poorly controlled hypertension, declining kidney function and heart-related complications. The family claimed independent medical experts described his condition as life-threatening, warning that the low potassium level could have resulted in cardiac arrest.

The family said Kanu’s condition improved after an independent medical team led by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji began treating him. It stated that his potassium level increased from 2.1 mmol/L to 2.9 mmol/L and that symptoms including frequent nosebleeds, dizziness, fainting, swollen feet and persistent headaches became less severe.

Despite the reported improvement, the family alleged that members of the medical team have since faced intimidation and scrutiny from regulatory authorities.

They called on the relevant agencies to allow the doctors to continue treating Kanu without interference. The family also demanded unrestricted access for his preferred medical practitioners, the withdrawal of disciplinary actions against the doctors, and an independent review of matters relating to his medical records.

According to the family, copies of its petition have been forwarded to the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, as well as Nigerian authorities and several international human rights organisations.

In a separate petition addressed to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kanu appealed to the association to intervene in matters concerning his healthcare and the welfare of the independent medical professionals attending to him.

He noted that issues surrounding his medical treatment and a court-ordered medical examination remain before the Court of Appeal, adding that his appeal to the NMA seeks support for his doctors and continued access to independent healthcare.

Kanu also urged the association to engage the relevant authorities, establish an independent oversight mechanism for the healthcare of detainees, and support what he described as his right to adequate medical treatment under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules.

Nnamdi Kanu is currently serving a life sentence at the maximum-security Sokoto Correctional Centre in Sokoto State.