There was mild tension in the House of Representatives on Tuesday after a heated exchange between Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Obinna Aguocha, a Labour Party member representing Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia State, over the worsening health condition of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The disagreement occurred shortly after the House resumed plenary from its annual recess when Mr Aguocha raised a matter of urgent public importance, urging the House to intervene in securing medical treatment for his constituent, Mr Kanu, who has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) since June 2021.
Mr Aguocha informed the chamber that he had, on August 26, written letters to President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and the Speaker, appealing for immediate medical attention for the separatist leader.
“Reports from both his personal doctors and the Nigerian Medical Association confirm that he has organ deficiencies and dangerously low potassium levels. As we speak, he is on the verge of death,” the lawmaker said.
He reminded the House that a court had ordered independent medical examinations on Mr Kanu, all of which confirmed his deteriorating health, adding that “only a man who is alive can stand trial.”
“Kanu has not been convicted of any crime. He deserves the same right to medical care as others who have travelled abroad for treatment,” Mr Aguocha said, urging the Speaker to press the executive to comply with court directives.
Speaker Abbas, however, ruled that the matter did not qualify as one of privilege — the procedure under which Mr Aguocha had brought it before the House.
“I do not see where your privilege is conflicted. If it’s a letter written to my office, you have direct access to me. This is not a matter of privilege,” the Speaker said.
The lawmaker countered, insisting that he had submitted the letter to the Speaker’s office on August 27 and received an acknowledgment. As the exchange grew tense, Mr Aguocha maintained that the issue concerned a citizen’s fundamental rights and demanded urgent attention.
Mr Abbas, visibly displeased, ruled him out of order, saying, “It is only when your privilege is denied that you can raise it. Please, step it down.” Moments later, Mr Aguocha’s microphone was turned off.
“You are ruled out of order. Listen to the gavel,” the Speaker declared.
Sensing the rising tension, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu intervened, appealing for calm and suggesting that the matter be reintroduced through the proper procedure.
“I understand the pain of the member regarding the subject matter of Nnamdi Kanu,” Mr Kalu said. “Let us bring it properly before the House so it can be given the hearing it deserves.”
Mr Abbas agreed, clarifying that his objection was procedural, not substantive.
“No problem at all. Anytime you are ready to bring up the matter, we will do the needful and give it full attention,” the Speaker said.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed IPOB, has been detained since 2021 after his arrest and extradition from abroad. He faces multiple charges, including treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences.
His prolonged detention has sparked several legal and political appeals for his release, with human rights groups and southeastern leaders accusing the government of disobeying court orders granting him medical access.
