The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a panel of medical experts within eight days to evaluate the health of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In his ruling on Friday, September 26, Justice James Omotosho instructed the NMA President to submit the committee’s findings within the same period to guide the court on whether Kanu should be transferred to the National Hospital for treatment.
Justice Omotosho said the panel must also assess the Department of State Services (DSS) hospital to determine if it has the facilities to manage Kanu’s medical needs.
He ruled that the committee could carry out its investigations in any hospital across the country.
He further ordered that the panel should comprise between eight and ten members of the NMA, including a cardiologist, a neurologist, and the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital.
The judge’s decision followed conflicting medical reports submitted by the DSS medical team and Kanu’s private consultants.
Earlier, DSS lead counsel Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo told the court that the NMA had already sent medical experts to examine Kanu.
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He argued against transferring Kanu to the National Hospital, saying, “The DSS medical team, led by Dr Mohammed Nasir, has confirmed that his condition can be adequately managed within DSS facilities.”
He added that moving Kanu out of DSS custody could “disrupt services and pose security risks,” stressing that the federal government remained committed to his safety and was willing to allow him access to independent experts within DSS facilities.
However, Kanu’s private medical team, led by Professor Martin Aghaji, a retired professor of medicine from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, insisted that Kanu’s health had deteriorated.
Aghaji recommended urgent treatment at the National Hospital and suggested the possibility of treatment abroad.
The DSS rejected his findings, describing them as “exaggerated and suspicious,” and accused him of unilaterally changing Kanu’s medication without the knowledge of DSS doctors who had treated him for four years.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, stood by Aghaji’s report.
He argued, “The DSS lacks the facilities to manage his ailments, and in the interest of justice, Kanu must remain alive to face the terrorism charges against him.”
He said the defence would not oppose the NMA’s involvement as long as it was sanctioned by the court.