KEY POINTS

• NMA report confirms Nnamdi Kanu is medically fit for trial.

• Court grants six days for the IPOB leader to present his defence.

• Kanu to hold private consultations with lawyers in court.

The Nigerian Medical Association has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the illness of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening.

The association’s medical panel, established by its president on the court’s directive, concluded a full health evaluation and found that Kanu is medically fit to stand trial.

Nnamdi Kanu fit for trial

Justice James Omotosho recently directed the Nigerian Medical Association to independently evaluate Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition. This followed conflicting medical reports earlier presented by both the defence and prosecution teams during the ongoing trial.

Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government, remains in the custody of the Department of State Services.

In its report dated October 13, the NMA confirmed that Kanu’s health condition does not pose an immediate threat to his life. The report was submitted to the court by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read during Thursday’s session.

Relying on the NMA’s findings, Justice Omotosho stated that the court was satisfied with the medical conclusion presented. Since neither party objected to the report, the judge ruled that Kanu’s trial should proceed without delay.

Court grants time for defence

Following the ruling, the judge scheduled six consecutive days beginning October 23 for Kanu to open and close his defence. The court also granted an oral application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting a private meeting between the IPOB leader and his legal team.

According to Punch, Agabi had argued that his client’s discussions with counsel might be monitored by security officials if held within the DSS facility. Responding to the concern, Justice Omotosho approved that the private consultation be held inside the courtroom from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on October 22, ahead of the resumed hearing the next day.

The decision effectively clears the way for one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials to proceed after months of legal delays centred on the defendant’s health and detention conditions.