The detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky; and his wife, Malama Zeenah, are down with 11 ailments each and cannot travel overseas for treatment as their passports have been seized, the family’s physician, Dr Abubakar Yahaya, has said.

Yahaya also faulted the claims by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that the government did not seize El-Zakzaky and his wife’s passports and that there was no fresh evidence showing that the couple were suffering from any health challenges.

The doctor said contrary to what Malami claimed, there were indeed fresh evidences confirming that the couple were still suffering from several health challenges as shown by the results of their routine medical tests, which had been carried out on a regular basis since 2018, after El-Zakzaky had his first stroke.

The AGF was also reported to have said all the depositions in relation to the health of El-Zakzaky and his wife had been slanted and exaggerated.

But Yahaya in a chat with Sunday PUNCH said the tests were actually conducted by government-approved health institutions, confirming the two were suffering from life-threatening ailments.

He said, “In fact, the latest medical reports have been recently reviewed and listed up to 11 multi-morbidities of great concern that are still being suffered by Sheikh Zakzaky.

“They include Ischaemic heart disease; left ventricular hypertrophy; left and right thalamic stroke; cervical/ lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy; left eye anophthalmia; right eye advanced-progressive glaucoma; benign prostate hypertrophy and heavy metal poisoning of lead and cadmium.”

For his wife, the physician said her latest medical report had also indicated that she was suffering from a combination of 11 multi-morbidities of great concern too.

Yahaya said, “They include long standing uncontrolled hypertension; severe degenerative bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees rendering her completely wheel chair bound for the past four years; recurrent episodes of severe acute abdominal pains attributed to the foreign body and gastritis.

“A professional clinical expert brought by the DSS (Department of State Services) confirmed some of the ailments being suffered by the two as attributable to heavy metals.

“In order to avert the life-threatening situations for both the Sheikh and his wife, many of the ailments required surgical interventions, unfortunately, none are yet to be conducted.”

He said international health organisations had recommended interventions for such kind of multiple gunshot pellet conditions

The physician lamented that the couple were still being forced by the authorities to remain in Nigeria, where no comprehensive interventions were available. (Sunday PUNCH: Text excluding headline)

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