THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over the continued detention of an Abuja based businessman, Ufuoma Joseph Immanuel, at the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Lagos, despite a Federal High Court order directing his immediate medical transfer.

Immanuel is currently detained following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a commercial disagreement with his business partner.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the alleged refusal of correctional authorities to move the detainee to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for urgent treatment, as directed by Justice D. E. Osiagor on 16 July 2026.

The rights group noted that the Tunji Braithwaite Foundation (TBF), which is monitoring the case, had earlier notified authorities of Immanuel’s deteriorating health on 10 July before seeking the court’s intervention. Consequently, TBF has served a Form 48 on the Controller of Corrections, Lagos State Command, warning of the legal consequences of disobeying the court directive.
Describing the situation as a violation of fundamental human rights, HURIWA urged the Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure immediate compliance.

HURIWA pointed that “A court order is not a piece of advice to a government agency. It is a command of the law and must be obeyed.”
It also questioned the criminalisation of what it termed a purely commercial dispute, noting that the suspect has repeatedly been denied bail while his passport and bank accounts have been frozen.

It called for an independent investigation into allegations that correctional officials were improperly influenced to block the medical transfer.

Stressing the urgency of the situation, HURIWA added, “Only the living can face justice. Only the living can defend themselves against criminal allegations. Keeping a seriously ill detainee away from a medical facility ordered by a court could affect his ability to participate effectively in his defence.”