A medical team empanelled by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed that the health condition of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening.
The team was constituted on the order of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the course of Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial. The court had directed the panel to verify Kanu’s actual health status following conflicting medical reports earlier submitted by experts engaged by both the prosecution and the defence.
In its report, which was submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the NMA medical experts concluded that Kanu’s ailment was not life-threatening and that he was medically fit to stand trial.
Part of the report was read in open court during Thursday’s proceedings.
Based on the panel’s findings and the absence of any objection from both parties, Justice Omotosho ruled that the defendant was fit to proceed with his trial.
The judge thereafter granted Kanu six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, to open and close his defence.
Justice Omotosho also granted an oral application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting a private consultation between the defendant and his legal team outside the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Agabi had expressed concern that the legal team’s discussions with Kanu within DSS facilities might be recorded or monitored.
The court approved that the private meeting be held in the courtroom between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present. The trial will resume on October 23.
