A heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday at the House of Representatives between the lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obi Aguocha, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over the health condition of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Rising on a point of privilege during plenary, Aguocha lamented that a letter he submitted on August 26 to the Speaker, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and President Bola Tinubu regarding Kanu’s worsening health had not received any response.
Aguocha said, “The Nigerian Medical Association has conducted a second evaluation, and the results further confirm the deteriorating health of Nnamdi Kanu. He has organ deficiencies, low potassium, and is, as we speak, on the verge of death.
“This is not politics. It is a fundamental human right that should be ascribed to Nnamdi Kanu. He has not been convicted of any crimes in Nigeria and must be protected under the constitution.”
The Speaker, however, queried Aguocha’s use of a point of privilege to demand action on the matter, noting that the floor of the House was not the appropriate avenue.
“If it is something specific to the office of the Speaker, Honourable, I find it intriguing that you come by way of privilege to demand action,” Abbas said, adding that Aguocha had direct access to his office.
But Aguocha insisted he had already visited the Speaker’s office, stressing that the issue was a “matter of life and death” and urging urgent intervention.
The Speaker stood his ground, saying he had no obligation to disclose any action taken in response to the letter. He maintained that the chamber was not the place for such follow-ups and eventually ruled Aguocha out of order, bringing the fiery exchange to an end.
Despite the ruling, Aguocha argued that House rules entitled him to raise matters of privilege and urged the chamber to treat Kanu’s health as urgent.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021. He is facing terrorism charges.
Stakeholders in the South-East have repeatedly called for his release, while his lawyers claim his health condition continues to worsen. Several applications to allow him to leave DSS custody for medical treatment have so far been rejected by the courts.
