The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has decided that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is fit to stand trial on accused terrorism.
Kanu’s sickness is not life-threatening, the NMA told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The NMA President’s medical panel said that it had completed the IPOB leader’s health evaluation that the court had mandated.
It was remembered that two weeks prior, in response to contradictory medical reports from the prosecution and defense, Justice James Omotosho had ordered the NMA to conduct an independent evaluation of Kanu’s health.
The medical body said that the defendant’s condition does not immediately threaten his life and that he is fit to stand trial, according to the panel’s report, which was turned in to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team under Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and partially read aloud during Thursday’s proceedings.
Relying on the medical findings and in the absence of any opposition from counsel to the parties, Justice Omotosho concluded that the court was satisfied that the defendant could proceed with his trial.
As a result, the judge gave Kanu six days in a row, starting on October 23, to present and conclude his defense.
Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Kanu’s primary attorney, filed an oral application with Justice Omotosho asking for permission to have a private session with his legal team outside of the Department of State Services.
Agabi had maintained that the defense team was concerned that the DSS would listen in on or record their conversations with Kanu.
As a result, the court gave its approval for the private meeting to take place in the courtroom, with just Kanu and his attorneys present. In advance of the trial’s resume on October 23, the consultation is set for October 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.