"We Try a Living Man, Not a Dead OneÔÇØ - Nwodo Blasts FG Over Kanu's Detention

... Former Enugu Governor slams double standards in handling of Kanu's health, says "we try a living man, not a dying oneÔÇØ

[caption id="attachment_191490" align="alignnone" width="1346"] Nnamdi Kanu[/caption]

As the #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest continues to gain momentum across Nigeria's capital and parts of the South-East, former Governor of Enugu State and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government over what he described as the inhuman treatment of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking from Nsukka on Monday, Nwodo said that continued detention of Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite his worsening health condition was unjustifiable and unacceptable. He demanded Kanu's immediate release to enable him seek proper medical treatment outside the DSS facility.

The elder statesman, while commending activist Omoyele Sowore for leading a renewed #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, said Sowore's action had once again drawn national and international attention to what he termed "a glaring injusticeÔÇØ against Kanu.

"Sowore has done well by bringing this matter back to public consciousness. Since it was reported that Nnamdi Kanu is sick, many Nigerians have called on the government to release him so he can access good medical care. Unfortunately, the authorities have continued to ignore those calls,ÔÇØ Nwodo said.

He expressed disappointment over the Nigerian Medical Association's (NMA) recent statement declaring Kanu fit to continue trial and remain in DSS custody, describing the declaration as hypocritical and unfair.

"It is very disappointing. Our leaders travel abroad for medical care - from France to the United Kingdom - yet when it comes to Kanu, they insist he should be treated in a detention facility. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Kanu deserves the same right to health. We try a living person, not a dying one,ÔÇØ Nwodo added.

The former PDP chairman further accused the Federal Government of deliberately fabricating new charges against Kanu to justify his prolonged detention, despite the lack of any conviction in court.

"He has not been found guilty of any of the charges. Each time one case is struck out, they bring up another to keep him in custody. That is persecution, not justice,ÔÇØ he stated.

Nwodo warned that allowing Kanu's health to deteriorate could trigger unrest and deepen the sense of injustice in the South-East. He urged the government to act in line with the rule of law and basic humanity by releasing Kanu on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, reports from Abuja indicate that the #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest has entered its second day, with demonstrators demanding immediate compliance with court orders and urging the Federal Government to stop using health as a weapon of suppression.