ABUJA: The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) panel constituted by its President on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu’s ailment was not life-threatening.
Justice James Omotosho had earlier ordered the NMA to set up a panel to ascertain the actual health status of Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The order followed conflicting reports issued by medical experts engaged by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the defence.
In the panel’s report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and partly read in open court during Thursday’s proceedings, it was stated that “the defendant’s ailment is not life-threatening.”
The team concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial.
Based on the report and in the absence of objection from the parties’ lawyers, Justice Omotosho ruled that the defendant could proceed with trial.
The judge subsequently granted Kanu six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, to open and close his defence.
He also granted an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, for Kanu’s legal team to have private consultation with the defendant outside the premises of the DSS. Agabi said the defence team feared its consultations could be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho directed that the private meeting be held in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present. The trial will resume on October 23.
