A medical panel constituted by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is medically fit to stand trial on terrorism charges.

The panel’s report was submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja by the prosecution team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adegboyega Awomolo. Portions of the report were read in open court on Thursday. The panel concluded that the health condition cited by Kanu is not life-threatening.

The medical assessment was commissioned by Justice James Omotosho following conflicting claims from Kanu’s personal physician and the Department of State Services (DSS), under whose custody Kanu remains. The judge ruled that, based on the NMA panel’s findings, the trial would now proceed.

Justice Omotosho has scheduled six consecutive days beginning October 23 for Kanu to open and close his defence.

In a related ruling, the court granted a request by Kanu’s defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private legal consultation with his client. The defence had raised concerns over alleged surveillance by the DSS during previous meetings.

The court ordered that the private consultation be held inside the courtroom on October 22, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, with only Kanu and his legal team present. The trial will resume the following day.

Erizia Rubyjeana 

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