The Department of State Services (DSS) has rejected claims made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that his health is getting worse. Kanu had asked to be moved from DSS custody to the National Hospital in Abuja, but the agency said his health concerns are being exaggerated.

According to the DSS, the medical report presented by Kanu’s consultant was misleading and aimed at creating a false picture of his condition.

In a counter affidavit with 37 points, the DSS argued that it has one of the best medical facilities in the country and that its doctors are well qualified to handle Kanu’s health problems.

Dr. Mohammed Nasir, a DSS medical officer, stated in the affidavit that Kanu is well cared for, safe, and even gets meals of his choice whenever he asks.

The agency also said that, at Kanu’s request, it had brought in specialists from both the National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital to treat him. The DSS maintained that Kanu is in stable condition and is not suffering from any severe sickness.

The DSS explained that since 2021, several doctors have been engaged in Kanu’s treatment. These included Dr. Abiodun Olugbenga of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, and later Dr. Onye Achillihu of Heartland Cardiovascular Consultants. Recently, Prof. Martin Aghaji took over Kanu’s care.

The DSS accused Prof. Aghaji of ignoring its medical team and changing Kanu’s treatment plan without involving DSS doctors. The agency said it had warned Aghaji about the risks of his actions, but he ignored them.

It added that on August 24, 2025, Prof. Aghaji wrote a letter claiming Kanu was not getting proper medical attention in DSS custody. The DSS dismissed this as an emotional outburst rather than a professional medical judgment.

The security agency argued that there was no need to move Kanu to the National Hospital, saying the hospital lacked the right security measures to keep him safe.

The DSS insisted that Kanu’s health issues were minor and could be handled at its own medical center.

It also reminded the court that Kanu once jumped bail, which raised security concerns. According to DSS, transferring him to the National Hospital would require heavy security that could disturb other patients and their families.

On the other hand, Kanu’s lawyers, led by Chief Godwin Agabi (SAN), filed a motion in court asking that he be moved to the National Hospital.

They based their request on Prof. Aghaji’s report, which claimed that Kanu’s health was getting worse.

In the court motion, Kanu’s lawyers said he had health issues affecting his liver, pancreas, low potassium levels, and a lump under his armpit.

Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, also said doctors had recommended the transfer to prevent his condition from getting worse.

His lawyer, Agabi, added that Kanu’s health was worsening because of the conditions in DSS custody and urged the court to act quickly.

Agabi also told the court that a letter from doctors asking the DSS to transfer Kanu had been ignored.

The lawyer explained that the urgent motion was filed to stop any further damage to Kanu’s health while efforts to treat him continued.

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to hear the case.

Justice Musa Liman, the presiding judge, explained that his authority to sit as a vacation judge had expired, and he no longer had the power to hear new matters.