Court-ordered medical panel declares Nnamdi Kanu fit to stand terrorism trial

A court-ordered medical panel has declared the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, fit to continue facing his ongoing terrorism trial.

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The team constituted by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) based on the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja made the declaration in its report, submitted to the court on 13 October.

Part of the report was read in open court during Thursday’s proceedings, after the prosecution led by Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made reference to it.

The report stated in part that “the defendant’s ailment is not life-threatening.”

Mr Kanu, who is standing trial for terrorism over his secessionist activities calling for a sovereigh Biafra carved out of Nigeria, has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja since June 2021.

The IPOB leader faces charges of carrying out terrorist activities, including broadcasting threats across Nigeria, to achieve the secession of the country’s Igbo-dominated southeastern states and parts of neighbouring regions as a sovereign nation.

He has denied all charges in the trial which commenced in 2015 but began afresh before Judge James Omotosho in 2025.

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Through his lawyers, he applied for a transfer to the National Hospital for treatment based on a medical evaluation by a professor of medicine.

His lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, also SAN, told Mr Omotosho during the 26 September proceedings that the professor’s medical report, dated 24 September, was addressed to the SSS.

Following the application, the judge ordered the NMA president to set up a team of medical experts to examine Mr Kanu’s state of health.

The judge also directed the committee to ascertain whether Mr Kanu was fit to undergo his ongoing terrorism trial.

He further ordered the panel, which was to comprise between eight and ten members, to assess the SSS facility in Abuja for its suitability to cater for Mr Kanu’s health needs while he faces trial.

The panel was also to determine whether the IPOB leader should be moved to the National Hospital for urgent medical attention as requested.

The report of the enquiry was due for submission as of 8 October, but the panel asked for more time to conclude its probe, prompting the judge to adjourn til Thursday (today).

The report eventually submitted on 13 October (Monday) has now concluded that Mr Kanu is fit to stand trial.

Kanu ordered to open defence

Based on the report and in the absence of any objection from the lawyers to the parties, Mr Omotosho said the court was satisfied that the defendant could proceed with the trial.

He subsequently granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning from 23 October, to open and close his defence.

The judge also granted an oral application by the defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi, a SAN, that Mr Kanu’s legal team be allowed private consultation with the defendant outside the premises of the SSS wehre the IPOB leader is being detained.

Mr Agabi said the defence team feared that its discussions with Mr Kanu could be recorded by the SSS.

Mr Omotosho granted the request that the private meeting be held in the courtroom, with only the defendant and his lawyers present.

By the court’s directive, the private consultation will be held in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on 22 October, while the trial will resume on 23 October.

Thursday’s development in the case comes just days ahead of a planned protest in Abuja on Monday, 20 October, calling for the unconditional release of Mr Kanu from what organisers—led by human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore—describe as an illegal detention.