The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening.
A medical panel constituted by the NMA President submitted its report to the court after carrying out an independent assessment as ordered by Justice James Omotosho. The report concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial.
The court had earlier directed the NMA to evaluate Kanu’s health following conflicting medical reports from both the prosecution and the defence.
According to the panel’s findings, submitted on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and partly read in court on Thursday, Kanu’s ailment “does not pose any immediate danger to his life.”
Relying on the NMA’s report and in the absence of objections from both sides, Justice Omotosho ruled that the IPOB leader is medically fit to continue with his trial.
The judge subsequently granted Kanu six consecutive days, beginning October 23, to open and close his defence in the terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Additionally, the court approved an oral application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting a private consultation between Kanu and his legal team outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility.
Agabi argued that the defence team feared their conversations at the DSS premises might be monitored. The court then ordered that the meeting be held within the courtroom on October 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
Kanu is currently facing trial for alleged terrorism and related offences before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
