By John Umeh
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is medically fit to stand trial, following an independent health assessment conducted by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
At Thursday’s proceedings, the NMA presented its medical findings before Justice James Omotosho, confirming that while Kanu has health concerns, they are not life-threatening and can be adequately managed at the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility.
Two weeks earlier, the court had directed the NMA to independently examine Kanu after conflicting reports were submitted by the defence and the prosecution. While DSS lawyers argued that the agency’s health services were sufficient, Kanu’s defence insisted that his condition was worsening and demanded his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja.
Presenting the findings, the prosecution team led by Awomolo Adegboyega (SAN) quoted the report: “The defendant’s ailment does not pose any immediate danger to his life, and he is fit to stand trial.”
Justice Omotosho subsequently ruled that the IPOB leader could proceed with his defence and scheduled October 23 to 30, 2025, for him to open and close his case. “The defendant has until the 30th of October to close his defence,” the judge declared.
In a related ruling, the court granted an application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), seeking permission for a private consultation between Kanu and his legal team outside DSS monitoring. The judge approved that the meeting be held inside the courtroom on October 22, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
The trial, in which Kanu faces terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government, will formally resume on October 23.
