Breaking: NMA Declares Kanu’s Illness Non-Critical, Trial Resumes October 23

Breaking: NMA Declares Kanu’s Illness Non-Critical, Trial Resumes October 23

On Thursday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not life-threatening and does not prevent him from standing trial.

A medical panel commissioned by the NMA President completed a court-ordered evaluation of Kanu’s health, following conflicting reports previously submitted by both the defence and prosecution.

The panel’s findings, presented to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), were partially read aloud during Thursday’s proceedings.

The report concluded that Kanu’s ailment poses no immediate danger and affirmed his fitness to continue with legal proceedings.

Justice James Omotosho, who had ordered the independent assessment two weeks earlier, accepted the panel’s conclusions.

With no objections raised by either party, the judge ruled that the trial could proceed and granted Kanu six consecutive days, starting October 23, to present and conclude his defence.

In a related development, Justice Omotosho approved an oral request by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation between the defendant and his legal team.

The defence had expressed concerns that their conversations with Kanu might be monitored by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judge ruled that the meeting would take place inside the courtroom, with only Kanu and his lawyers present, scheduled for October 22 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, just ahead of the trial’s resumption.

Kanu is currently facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government.