The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared that the health condition of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening and that he is medically fit to stand trial.
The disclosure was made on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the NMA presented its findings from a court-ordered health evaluation of the detained IPOB leader.
The assessment was carried out by a medical panel constituted by the NMA President, following an order issued about two weeks ago by Justice James Omotosho.
The judge had directed the association to independently assess Kanu’s condition after conflicting medical reports were tendered by both the defence and the prosecution.
In its report submitted on October 13 and partly read in court by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the NMA stated that Kanu’s ailment posed no immediate risk to his life and confirmed that he was fit to continue with the ongoing proceedings.
Satisfied with the medical findings and noting no objection from either party, Justice Omotosho ruled that the defendant was in good health to proceed with his trial.
The court subsequently scheduled six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, for Kanu to open and close his defence in the terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Additionally, the judge granted an application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), seeking approval for a private consultation between Kanu and his legal team outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility.
Justice Omotosho directed that the meeting be held within the courtroom from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers in attendance.