The team appointed by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed that the health condition reported by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is not life-threatening.
The team was ordered by Justice James Omotosho during Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in response to conflicting medical reports presented by the prosecution and defence.
In the panel’s report, submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), part of which was read in the open court during Thursday’s proceedings, it was stated the the defendant’s ailment is not life threatening.
Based on the information contained in the report and in the absence of any objection from the parties’ lawyers, Justice Omotosho said the court was convinced that the defendant could proceed with the trial.
Justice Omotosho subsequently granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, to open and close his defence.
The judge also granted an oral application by defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed private consultation with the defendant outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Agabi said the defence team feared that its consultations with Kanu could be tapped or recorded by the DSS.
Justice Omotosho further acceded to Agabi’s 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 take place in the courtroom between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on October 22, while the trial will resume on October 23.
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