JUST-IN: Kanu Medically Fit To Stand Trial, Says NMA Panel

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) team that examined the health status of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said that the ailment complained by detained self-acclaimed Biafra leader was not life threatening, hence he was medically fit to stand trial.

Recall that Justice James Omotosho midway into Kanu’s terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja, has asked the President of the NMA to put up a team to ascertain Kanu’s actual health tatus following conflicting claims on the issue by medical experts engaged by the prosecution and the defence teams.

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 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 both 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, 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 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.