Court Directs NMA To Assess Nnamdi Kanu’s Fitness For Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a panel of medical experts to evaluate the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Friday, instructing the NMA president to appoint between eight and ten doctors to determine if Kanu is medically fit to continue with his trial.

The ruling came after Kanu filed an application asking the court to move him to a private ward at the National Hospital for what he described as urgent, life-threatening health issues.

After considering submissions from Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the judge ruled that the team, to be constituted by the NMA’s President.

According to him, the medical team should assess the health facilities of the Department of State Services (DSS) to determine if they were adequate to effectively take care of Kanu’s ailments.

The judge said the team should also to determine if it is necessary to transfer him to the National Hospital as he requested and whether his current state of health could prevent him from standing trial.

Justice Omotosho also ordered that the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital or a representative be included in the panel.

The court directed that the panel’s findings must be documented, signed by both the chairman and secretary of the team, and submitted to the court registry within eight days, starting from September 26, 2025.

This comes after Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja returned Nnamdi Kanu’s motion for medical transfer to the Chief Judge for reassignment.