Former Enugu State Governor, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, has criticised what he called “double standards” in Nigeria’s handling of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, urging the Federal Government to release him for medical treatment before it becomes too late.
Nwodo, who spoke on Monday, October 20, said it was hypocritical for top government officials to seek medical care abroad while denying the same right to a citizen yet to be convicted of any crime.
“It was very disappointing that the NMA declared Kanu fit to continue trial and to remain in DSS custody. Our President once flew to France for his health, and even our former President spent months in England on medical tourism.
“What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Kanu should be allowed to go and look after his health too. We try a live person, not a dead one,” Nwodo said.
He applauded activist Omoyele Sowore for reigniting public attention to Kanu’s case through the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, describing the move as a bold reminder of “the injustice” surrounding his prolonged detention.
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“I think Sowore has done well by bringing the case of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu to national and international attention once again,” he noted.
The former PDP national chairman also accused the Federal Government of deliberately filing “forged charges” to keep Kanu behind bars, even though courts have not convicted him of any offence.
“He has not been found guilty of any of the court cases he has faced. All we see is that the Federal Government keeps coming up with new forged charges just to keep him detained. It is very unfair,” he stated.
Nwodo warned that allowing Kanu’s health to deteriorate in DSS custody would be “an unfortunate development,” insisting that justice demands his release to access proper medical care.