Nnamdi Kanu: NMA’s Failure To Produce Medical Report Stalls Hearing

…Court Adjourns To October 16

The trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was on Wednesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) inability to submit its medical assessment report as directed by the court.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to October 16 to enable the NMA to conclude its evaluation and present its findings on Kanu’s health status.

The adjournment came after the prosecution counsel, Suraj S’aad, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that the medical board constituted by the NMA had communicated that its report was not yet ready for presentation.

He therefore sought a one-week adjournment to enable the board produce its report. Kanu’s lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, did not oppose the motion.

Justice Omotosho granted the request and fixed a new date for the medical board’s report to be submitted before the court.

He stressed that the document is crucial in determining whether Kanu should remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) or be transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, as requested by his lawyers.

At the last adjourned date, the court had directed the NMA president to assemble a team of medical experts, including a cardiologist and a neurologist, to evaluate the DSS medical facility and determine if it was capable of meeting the defendant’s health needs.

The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital was also mandated to be part of the panel.

Kanu had earlier complained that his health had deteriorated significantly, citing medical reports indicating problems with his pancreas and liver, as well as a developing lump under his arm and dangerously low potassium levels.

He asked to be transferred to the National Hospital for adequate care.

However, the Federal Government, represented by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the application, maintaining that the DSS has competent medical facilities to cater to Kanu’s condition.

The court had earlier dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the IPOB leader to open his defence to the remaining seven-count terrorism charge filed against him.

Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 and later released on bail in 2017, fled the country following a military operation at his home in Abia State.

He was re-arrested in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria in June 2021. Since then, he has remained in DSS custody.

While a Court of Appeal judgment in October 2022 ordered his release and quashed the charges, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, overturned that decision and allowed the Federal Government to proceed with his trial.