The trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is set to resume after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) declared him medically fit to stand trial on alleged terrorism charges.
The ruling was delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, following the submission of an independent health assessment report by the NMA.
Medical Panel’s Findings
The NMA President had set up the medical panel two weeks ago after the court ordered an independent evaluation, prompted by conflicting medical reports presented by the defence and the prosecution.
The panel’s report, submitted to the court on October 13, stated that the defendant’s ailment “does not pose any immediate danger to his life” and confirmed that Kanu is fit to proceed with his trial.
Relying on these medical findings, and in the absence of any objection from counsel on both sides, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court was satisfied with the defendant’s ability to stand trial.
Trial Resumption and Defense Strategy
Following the ruling, the court granted Kanu six consecutive days, starting from October 23, to open and close his defence.
In a related development, the court approved an oral application by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), seeking permission for a private consultation with his client outside the Department of State Services (DSS) premises. Agabi had expressed concern that private discussions with Kanu might be monitored or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho approved that the private meeting between Kanu and his legal team be held within the courtroom itself, scheduled to take place between 9 am and 12 noon on October 22, ahead of the official resumption of the trial on the 23rd.
