By Ab Susan
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), fit to stand trial for terrorism charges. A medical panel constituted by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) concluded that Kanu’s health issues are not life-threatening, and he is medically stable to face trial.
The court’s decision was based on the NMA panel’s report, which was submitted on October 13 and partially reviewed in court on Thursday. The panel, comprising eight to ten medical experts, assessed Kanu’s health and determined that his condition can be managed adequately within the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the trial can proceed, granting Kanu six consecutive days, starting October 23, to present and conclude his defense. The court also approved a private consultation between Kanu and his legal team, which will be held in the courtroom on October 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Kanu’s lawyers had raised concerns about his health, submitting a medical report from a professor of medicine that described his condition as serious. However, the NMA panel’s findings contradicted this report, stating that Kanu’s ailment is not life-threatening. The court’s acceptance of the NMA report paved the way for the trial to continue.
The case has sparked significant interest and debate, with some calling for Kanu’s release on humanitarian grounds. A planned protest in Abuja on October 20 aims to push for Kanu’s unconditional release from detention. Despite the controversy surrounding his case, the court’s decision has cleared the way for the trial to proceed .
