A medical team from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) assigned to evaluate the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, the kanu-release-demand-supreme-court-error/” title=”Rights Group Urges Immediate Release of … Citing Supreme …'s 'Fatal Error”>detained leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has determined that his reported illness is not life-threatening. Consequently, they affirmed that Kanu is medically capable of continuing with his trial.
Earlier, during the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice James Omotosho instructed the NMA President to assemble a medical panel to clarify Kanu’s health status. This directive came amid contradictory medical opinions presented by experts representing both the prosecution and defense.
On October 13, the NMA team submitted their findings to the court through the prosecution’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). Portions of the report were publicly disclosed during the court session on Thursday, confirming that Kanu’s condition does not pose an immediate threat to his life.
The medical experts concluded that Kanu is fit to participate in the legal proceedings. With no objections raised by either party’s legal representatives, Justice Omotosho expressed confidence in the defendant’s ability to continue the trial.
Following this, the judge granted Kanu six consecutive days, starting October 23, to present and conclude his defense case.
Additionally, Justice Omotosho approved a request from Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), for private consultations between the defendant and his legal team outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility. Agabi expressed concerns that their discussions might be monitored or recorded by DSS personnel.
To address these concerns, the court ordered that the confidential meetings take place within the courtroom, restricted to Kanu and his lawyers only.
According to the court’s schedule, these private consultations are set for October 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with the trial resuming the following day, October 23.
