The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute a panel of independent medical experts within eight days to assess the health condition of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, comes after repeated concerns raised by Kanu’s legal team about his deteriorating health while in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Binta Nyako directed the NMA to assemble a panel of specialists who would conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation and submit their findings to the court.
Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 following his arrest and extradition from Kenya, faces terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government. His trial has been marked by multiple adjournments, legal battles, and international appeals for his release.
The court’s directive is seen as a critical step in addressing growing concerns over his health, with supporters and rights groups insisting that his wellbeing is central to the fairness of his ongoing trial.
The next hearing has been fixed for October, when the court is expected to review the medical panel’s findings before deciding on further applications from both prosecution and defence.
