BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s ailment not life-threatening, can stand trial, says MMA

The medical panel set up by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that the health condition of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is not life-threatening.

The panel was constituted on the directive of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, during Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial, to provide an independent assessment of his health status.

The decision came after conflicting medical reports from experts engaged by both the prosecution and the defence.

According to the report, which was submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and partly read during Thursday’s proceedings, Kanu’s condition does not pose any immediate threat to his life.

The team concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial.

Based on the information contained in the report and in the absence of any objection from lawyers to the parties, Justice Omotosho said the court was convinced that Kanu could proceed with the trial.

Justice Omotosho subsequently granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning 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 a 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 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, while the trial will resume on October 23.