Omotayo Adigun
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu until October 16, 2025, following the failure of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to submit its court-ordered medical report on his health.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, had directed the NMA to constitute a panel of 8 to 10 medical experts to assess Kanu’s condition, including the capacity of the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility to care for him and whether he should be transferred to the National Hospital for more specialized treatment.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecution informed the court that the NMA medical board had not yet completed its assessment and asked for an extension. The defense did not oppose the adjournment, and the court granted a new date for submission and further proceedings.
The medical report is crucial not only to decide if Kanu’s health requires transfer but also to determine whether he remains fit to continue standing trial.
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Previously, Justice Omotosho had declined Kanu’s no-case-submission motion and ordered the trial to proceed, while giving the NMA eight days to submit its report.
Kanu’s legal team had sought his transfer from DSS custody to the National Hospital, Abuja, citing serious health concerns including issues with his liver, pancreas, dangerously low potassium, and a lump under his armpit, which private medical reports had indicated.
Meanwhile, the government argues that the DSS medical facility is adequate and questions the legitimacy of private medical assessments engaged by Kanu’s team.