The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not life-threatening and that he is medically fit to continue his trial.
This followed the court’s directive to the association to evaluate Kanu’s health after conflicting medical reports were presented by doctors from the Department of State Services (DSS) and his defence team.
The medical panel, constituted by the NMA President and led by senior medical experts, submitted its findings to the court on October 13. The report, tendered by the prosecution led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), stated that Kanu’s current ailment does not pose a serious risk to his life.
After reviewing the report and noting that neither the prosecution nor the defence objected to it, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu was fit to proceed with his trial. The court then scheduled six consecutive days, beginning October 23, for Kanu to present and close his defence.
Justice Omotosho also approved an oral request from Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), allowing his legal team to hold a private meeting with him outside the DSS facility. The defence had raised concerns that their discussions could be monitored by the DSS.
The judge directed that the private consultation take place in the courtroom on October 22, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, before the trial resumes the following day.
The court’s decision clears the path for the continuation of proceedings in the long-standing case involving the IPOB leader.