The team of medical experts of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), set up by a Federal High Court to ascertain the health status of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that he is fit to stand trial.
The medical team, led by the President of the NMA told the court that Kanu’s illness was not life-threatening and with a medical verdict that Kanu is fit to stand trial.
The medical team was directed by the Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, to ascertain Kanu’s actual health status following conflicting claims on the issue by medical experts engaged by the prosecution and the defence.
The report of the medical panel submitted to the court on October 13, 2025, by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, part of which was read in the open court during Thursday’s proceedings, stated the Kanu’s ailment is not life threatening.
Based on the report, and in the absence of any objection from lawyers to both parties, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court was convinced that the defendant could proceed with the trial.
Following the report of the medical team, Justice Omotosho accordingly granted the defendant six consecutive days, with effect from October 23, to open and close his defence.
The judge also granted an oral application by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, that Kanu’s legal team be granted the opportunity to discuss with the defendant outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Agabi told the court that the defendant’s legal team was afraid that its consultation with Kanu could be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho also acceded to Agabi’s request that the private meeting with Kanu be held in the courtroom, during which only the defendant and his lawyers would be present.
Following the court’s directive, the private consultation meeting will hold within the courtroom between 9am and 12nooon on October 22, while the trial will resume on October 23.
