The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Medical Association to set up a special panel to examine the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra – www.naijnaira.com reports.
Justice James Omotosho gave the directive, mandating the NMA president to assemble a team of eight to ten medical experts, including specialists such as a cardiologist, a neurologist, and the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital.
The panel must also evaluate the State Security Services hospital facilities to determine whether they are adequate for Kanu’s treatment, and they have the liberty to use any hospital in the country during the process, according to ICIR.
This decision came after clashing reports from Kanu’s personal doctors and the SSS medical team, creating uncertainty over the true state of his health.
SSS lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo insisted the agency’s hospital can manage the situation, alleging that Kanu’s private consultant exaggerated his illness and unilaterally changed prescribed medication.
Awomolo warned that moving him outside SSS facilities could compromise both his care and national security, but assured the court that external specialists could still access him in custody.
On the other hand, Kanu’s lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, argued that the SSS lacks the expertise to manage his client’s critical condition, stressing that the defence relied on expert advice from Professor Martin Aghaji.
Ikpeazu emphasized that Kanu must remain alive to answer the terrorism charges he faces, and said the legal team had no objection to the NMA’s involvement once approved by the court.
In the same sitting, Justice Omotosho rejected Kanu’s no-case submission, ruling that the Federal Government has established a prima facie case and directing him to open his defence.
Kanu currently faces seven charges, including terrorism, treason, incitement through broadcasts, and defamation of authorities, with the case already marred by delays, recusals, and petitions.
His legal battles trace back to 2015, when he was first arrested in Lagos, later released on bail, fled the country after a military raid in 2017, and was eventually re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 before being extradited to Nigeria.
Since his trial began in October 2021, it has been characterized by frequent adjournments, disputes over his health, and a revolving door of judges following his objection to previous presiding officers.
Kanu’s legal team maintains that the court’s new directive on medical verification could finally bring clarity to ongoing disputes about his treatment in detention.
Article updated 3 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
