The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to immediately constitute a medical panel of between eight and ten members to assess the health status of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and determine his fitness to continue standing trial.
Justice James Omotosho issued the directive on Friday while ruling on an application by Kanu, who is seeking to be transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody to a private ward at the National Hospital, citing a life-threatening illness.
Court Reviews Health Claims Amid Ongoing Trial
The judge, after considering submissions by Kanu’s lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), ruled that a neutral medical evaluation was necessary to resolve conflicting claims about the IPOB leader’s health condition.
Panel Mandated to Review DSS Medical Facilities
The court ordered that the NMA-constituted medical team must also:
- Examine the adequacy of DSS medical facilities in handling Kanu’s ailment
- Determine whether a transfer to the National Hospital is medically justified
- Assess whether Kanu’s current medical condition makes him unfit to continue trial
National Hospital Representative to Join Panel
Justice Omotosho further directed that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Hospital, Abuja, or a designated representative, be included as part of the assessment panel.
Timeline for Medical Report Submission
The court instructed that the panel’s final medical report, signed by both its chairman and secretary, be submitted to the court registry within eight days from September 26, 2025.
