Daniel Otera
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is medically fit to stand trial and that his ailment is not life‑threatening.
A medical panel appointed by the NMA and ordered by Justice James Omotosho completed a court‑mandated health assessment of Kanu and submitted its report to the court on 13 October. The prosecution, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), partly read the findings in open court on Thursday.
“The defendant’s ailment does not pose any immediate danger to his life,” the panel concluded, and the court accepted the assessment as showing Kanu is fit to proceed.
Relying on the medical report and with no objections from counsel for either party, Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu may continue with his trial. The judge granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning 23 October, to open and close his defence.
Justice Omotosho also granted an oral application from Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation between the defendant and his legal team outside Department of State Services (DSS) premises. Agabi had expressed concern that defence discussions might be monitored or recorded by the DSS.
The court approved that the private meeting take place in the courtroom with only Kanu and his lawyers present. The consultation is scheduled for 9:00am to 12:00 noon on 22 October, ahead of the trial’s resumption on 23 October.
Kanu faces prosecution by the Federal Government on charges relating to alleged terrorism. The health assessment was ordered about two weeks earlier after the defence and prosecution submitted conflicting medical reports to the court.