The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said the ailment complained about by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not life threatening.
The NMA’s position was contained in the report submitted by the team empanelled by the NMA President to look into the health issue of the pro-Biafra nation agitator.
Recall that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had midway into Kanu’s terrorism trial ordered the medical team to ascertain Kanu’s actual health status following conflicting claims on the issue by medical experts engaged by the prosecution and the defence.
In the panel’s report, submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), part of which was read in the open court during Thursday’s proceedings, it was stated the defendant’s ailment was not life threatening.
The team concluded that Kanu was fit to stand trial.
Based on the information contained in the report and in the absence of any objection from lawyers to parties, Justice Omotosho said the court was convinced that the defendant could proceed with the trial.
Justice Omotosho subsequently granted the defendant six consecutive days, begining from October 23, to open and close his defence.
The judge granted an oral application by defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) that Kanu’s legal team be granted private consultation opportunity with the defendant, outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Agabi said the defendant’s legal team was afraid that its consultation with him (Kanu) could be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho also acceded to Agabi’s request that the private meeting with Kanu be held in the courtroom, during which only the defendant and his lawyers would be present.
By the court’s directive, the private consultation meeting will hold within the courtroom between 9am and 12nooon on October 22, while the trial will resume on October 23.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
BOUNTY HUNTERS AND PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANIES CAN STOP TERROR IN NIGERIA
Basil Okoh MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Nigerian government, its military and security experts keep playing games with the issues of national security while citizens die, abducted for ransom or are maimed by bandits, terrorists and outlaws who have taken over the open spaces and forests across the nation. The Nigerian military are already too deeply…
Tinubu returns to Abuja after Abu Dhabi summit, Paris holiday
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he witnessed the signing of a trade agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the President’s return in a statement released on Saturday. The statement…
Fear of deportation drives undocumented Africans to sleep in bins on UK streets
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Several undocumented Nigerians and other African migrants in the United Kingdom are resorting to sleeping in waste bins and on the streets as fear of arrest and deportation intensifies following a sweeping crackdown under the UK government’s new immigration regime. The development comes amid the implementation of the UK’s 2025 immigration overhaul,…
