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A medical panel constituted by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared that the health condition of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening, clearing the way for his terrorism trial to continue.
The independent medical team was set up on the orders of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who directed the NMA to assess Kanu’s actual health status.
The order came after conflicting medical reports were presented by doctors engaged by both the prosecution and the defence.
According to The Nation Online, in ts report, which was submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the panel confirmed that Kanu’s health issues were not severe enough to prevent him from participating in the trial. Part of the report, read publicly during Thursday’s court session, stated that the defendant was “clinically stable and fit to stand trial.”
“The medical experts have given a clear opinion that there is no life-threatening complication,” Justice Omotosho said while referencing the report. “Based on that, the court is satisfied that the trial can proceed.”
Following the court’s ruling, Justice Omotosho scheduled six consecutive days, starting from October 23, for Kanu to open and close his defence.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), made an oral application requesting that his legal team be allowed private consultations with the IPOB leader outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS). Agabi argued that the team feared their discussions could be monitored or recorded by security agents.
Responding to the request, Justice Omotosho granted permission for a private session between Kanu and his lawyers to be held within the courtroom on October 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
The judge emphasized that only the defendant and his legal representatives would be present during the meeting.
A source close to the defence team described the ruling as “a fair step toward ensuring transparency and the defendant’s right to adequate representation.”
The court is expected to resume Kanu’s trial the following day, October 23, as both the defence and prosecution prepare for what could be a decisive phase in the long-running legal battle.