Aloy Ejimakor, counsel for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, on Saturday said his client needed heart surgery for a valve replacement.

He urged the Federal Government to release the detained agitator so he can get medical attention.

Ejimakor tweeted a medical advice from Pink Rose Hospital Limited dated August 23, 2022 stating that Kanu has heart-related issue it described as life-threatening.

“The patient requires urgent surgical (internal heart surgery) intervention for tricuspid valve (heart valve) replacement,” the medical advice reads in part.

Ejimakor said: “For avoidance of any doubt, Nigerian government knew since August 2022 that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu requires surgery.

“Besides the court orders, this is enough to release him or accord him his right to independent medical care. It’s a universal norm.”

Kanu was re-arraigned on January 19 before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He pleaded not guilty to the 15-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.

He filed a preliminary objection to the charge, praying the court to strike out or quash them, which the Court of Appeal agreed with.