A fresh medical report has confirmed that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition is stable.
The court has now cleared him to continue facing trial in Abuja.
A medical panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed that the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening. The report also stated that he is medically fit to continue standing trial.
The panel was constituted by the NMA President following an order from Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The directive came in the middle of Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial after both the defence and prosecution presented conflicting medical reports regarding his state of health.
In its findings, which were submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the medical experts concluded that Kanu’s illness does not pose a serious threat to his life. The report was partly read in court during Thursday’s proceedings.
Justice Omotosho, relying on the panel’s submission and noting that neither side objected to it, ruled that Kanu was fit to continue his trial. The court then granted the defendant six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to present and conclude his defence.
During the session, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), requested that his client’s legal team be allowed to hold private discussions with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility. He explained that the defence was worried their conversations could be monitored or recorded by security operatives.
Justice Omotosho approved the request, directing that the private consultation should take place in the courtroom on October 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The court stated that only Kanu and his lawyers would be allowed in during that period.
The trial is expected to resume on October 23, following the conclusion of the scheduled private meeting between Kanu and his legal team.
