FILE: Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in court
In a significant ruling on Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute an independent medical panel to evaluate the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho issued the directive, mandating that the NMA panel submit its report within eight days of the ruling.
> “An order directing the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute an investigating committee,” the judge stated.
The court specified that the panel should comprise eight to ten medical professionals, including the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Hospital, Abuja—or a designated representative—since Kanu had identified the hospital as his preferred treatment center.
The judge instructed the committee to inspect the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility where Kanu is currently held and assess whether it is adequate for his medical care. If deemed insufficient, the panel is to recommend whether Kanu should be transferred to the National Hospital for urgent treatment.
Additionally, the panel is to determine whether Kanu is medically fit to stand trial.
> “The report of this panel set up by the president of NMA shall be signed by the chairman and secretary of the committee,” Omotosho added.
The ruling followed arguments from both the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and Kanu’s legal team, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.
Ikpeazu presented a medical report authored by Professor Austin Agaji, a physician, who advised that Kanu required further treatment at the National Hospital. He insisted the report showed evidence of serious health issues.
Awomolo, however, opposed the application, arguing that the DSS had complied fully with previous court orders regarding Kanu’s medical needs and visits from his legal team, family, and personal doctors.
> “Your Lordship made an order that the defendant should be allowed to see any of his relations, any doctor of his choice, and his lawyers. All these were obeyed,” Awomolo told the court.
He contended that Kanu had been granted access to medical facilities of his choosing and that the DSS had even initiated its own medical panel through the NMA. He raised national security concerns about moving Kanu to the National Hospital.
> “Taking the IPOB leader to the National Hospital would not be in the interest of national security,” Awomolo argued, warning that Kanu could pose a security risk if the facility were attacked.
He also questioned the credibility of the medical report presented by Kanu’s legal team, noting that Prof. Agaji neither worked at the National Hospital nor provided evidence of failed treatment at the DSS facility.
Justice Omotosho asked Kanu’s counsel if they would consent to an NMA-constituted panel issuing an independent assessment. Ikpeazu agreed, provided the order came from the court.
The ruling comes amid ongoing proceedings on Kanu’s no-case submission, which the court has begun addressing.
