Abuja: The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) panel, constituted by its president, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the ailment of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not life-threatening.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice James Omotosho had previously ordered the NMA to establish a panel to determine the actual health status of Kanu. This order emerged after receiving conflicting reports from medical experts engaged by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the defense team.
The panel’s report was submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. During the proceedings, a portion of the report was read aloud in the court, confirming that “the defendant’s ailment is not life-threatening.” The panel concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial.
Based on the report and the lack of objection from the involved parties’ lawyers, Justice Omotosho expressed satisfaction that the defendant could proceed with the trial. Consequently, the judge granted Kanu six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to open and close his defense.
Additionally, the judge approved a request from defense lawyer Kanu Agabi, SAN, allowing Kanu’s legal team a private consultation opportunity with the defendant outside the DSS premises. Agabi expressed concerns that their consultations might be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho also agreed to Agabi’s proposal for the private meeting with Kanu to occur in the courtroom, with only the defendant and his lawyers present. According to the court’s directive, the private consultation meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, while the trial is scheduled to resume on October 23.