In a decision announced by the Abuja High Court yesterday, the judge declined to grant former Defence Services Secretariat (DSS) official Nnamdi Kanu’s petition to be transferred to the National Hospital to take up a senior medical coordination post. The petition was lodged by Kanu on behalf of his legal team on May 6, following his statement in an interview that he had been suffering from a chronic respiratory illness that required “specialized medical oversight” that he claimed was available only at the National Hospital. Kanu also argued that a transfer would allow him to be “closer to the medical specialists” and enable him to continue contributing to the DSS in a capacity that would not compromise his health.
High Court Ruling Chief Judge Ayo Omololu, who presided over the case, delivered a concise order in the afternoon session. “The applicant has not satisfied the statutory criteria for inter‑departmental transfers. Under Section 12 of the Employees’ Services Act, a DSS employee may only be transferred to a medical facility if they hold a medical qualification that is accepted by the National Hospital’s governing board,” she stated. “Mr. Kanu is a non‑medical staff member, and his request is therefore unfounded.” Judge Omololu also noted, “The applicant has attempted to misrepresent his professional qualifications. This court cannot be persuaded by personal conjecture that an employee can be re‑classified into the medical services without the requisite credentials.” The decision was issued in an open court session attended by Kanu’s counsel, a representative of the DSS Human Resources Directorate, and a small contingent of journalists. Kanu, whose legal brief was signed by the prominent human rights lawyer, Mr. Olawale Rivers, left the courthouse to be joined by a small group of supporters who, despite signing a petition for “medical sympathy,” were unable to overturn the ruling.
Reactions** The DSS spokesperson, Mrs. Idehen Nwosu, released a statement saying, “We respect the Court’s decision and remain compliant with all applicable statutory regulations. Mr. Kanu’s commitment to public service remains valued, and we will explore other avenues to accommodate his health needs within the public service framework.” The National Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Angela Mbah, commented, “While we welcome contributions from all healthcare professionals, any additional staffing requires alignment with the hospital’s clinical standards and accreditation requirements. We remain committed to ensuring the best level of care for our patients.” Kanu’s supporters expressed disappointment in a statement issued at his home, calling the decision “a disregard of his right to medical accommodation.” The statement also urged the authorities to “reconsider a more flexible approach to employee welfare.”
Next Steps Under the relevant statutory frameworks, Kanu has the right to appeal within 21 days. “We will review the basis of the decision and determine whether an appeal is viable,” said Mr. Rivers. He added that, pending an appeal, he would continue to provide support to the DSS‑appointed medical staff. Legal analysts note that the ruling represents a clear affirmation of the state’s duty to maintain professional standards within the medical sector, and the outcomes of the case are likely to be cited in future disputes over inter‑departmental transfers on the grounds of employee health.