The Nigerian Medical Association told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is medically fit to face trial. The association, which carried out a medical examination on him on the order of the court, concluded that Kanu’s health condition is stable and not life-threatening. This confirmation came after several weeks of tension and speculation about the state of his health, which had become a major talking point in his ongoing trial.
The report was presented to the court by a medical panel set up by the president of the Nigerian Medical Association. According to the panel, their findings showed that Kanu’s illness does not pose any immediate danger to his life and that he is physically and mentally capable of standing trial. The prosecution team, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, submitted the panel’s report on October 13, and the team read portions of it aloud during the court proceedings.
Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over the case, had two weeks earlier directed the NMA to carry out an independent assessment of Kanu’s health. The order came after the defence and the prosecution presented conflicting medical reports. The defence maintained that the IPOB leader’s health had deteriorated significantly while in the custody of the Department of State Services, alleging that he was being denied proper medical care. The prosecution maintained that the DSS provides Kanu with adequate treatment and that he remains fit to continue his trial.
To settle the dispute, Justice Omotosho invited the NMA to step in as an independent and professional body to assess the situation. The association immediately constituted a medical panel made up of experienced doctors from different specialties. They examined Kanu thoroughly, conducted medical tests, reviewed his previous health records, and interviewed him directly before drawing their conclusion.
In its final report, the medical panel confirmed that Kanu had some health issues but none that required emergency or foreign treatment. The doctors concluded that his condition was under control and that he was mentally alert, physically strong, and fit to stand trial. With the presentation of the report in court, the long-standing argument about Kanu’s health finally reached a conclusion.
After reviewing the report, Justice Omotosho stated that he was satisfied with the medical findings. Neither the defence nor the prosecution raised any objections to the report, and the judge ruled that there was no further reason to delay the case. He declared that the trial should proceed immediately and fixed six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, for Kanu to open and close his defence.
The ruling marked a significant step forward in a case that has been dragging for years. For months, the question of Kanu’s health had overshadowed the real issues at the heart of the trial. His lawyers repeatedly argued that his medical condition prevented him from standing trial, while the government maintained that he was simply trying to delay the process. The NMA’s report has now brought clarity to the matter and cleared the way for the legal process to continue.
During the same court session, another issue arose. Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, orally asked the court to allow his client to meet privately with his legal team outside the DSS premises. He explained that the defence team feared the DSS monitored or recorded their conversations with Kanu. According to him, this violated the principle of confidentiality between a lawyer and his client, and it hindered the team’s ability to prepare an effective defence.
Justice Omotosho listened to the argument and agreed that confidential communication between a defendant and his lawyers is a fundamental right in every fair trial. However, he also stressed that the security agencies have a responsibility to maintain order and ensure safety, given the nature of the charges against Kanu. The judge therefore granted the request but ruled that the private consultation would take place within the courtroom and not outside DSS custody.
He scheduled the meeting for October 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, a day before the commencement of the defence. During that time, only Kanu and his legal team can enter the courtroom. The DSS will provide security outside the hall but cannot monitor or record the discussion. The judge said the arrangement strikes a balance between the defendant’s right to privacy and the need for security.
Both legal teams expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling. The prosecution described it as fair and balanced, saying the judge’s decisions showed respect for both the rule of law and the rights of the defendant. Members of Kanu’s defence team also welcomed the permission for private consultation, describing it as a vital step that would help them prepare for the trial effectively. They, however, maintained that the court should continue to pay attention to Kanu’s welfare in custody.
Nnamdi Kanu’s trial remains one of the most watched legal proceedings in Nigeria. Since his re-arrest in June 2021, he has faced multiple charges filed by the Federal Government, including terrorism, incitement, and unlawful possession of firearms. The government accuses him of using his role as the IPOB leader to promote activities that threaten national security and unity. Kanu, on his part, denies all the allegations, insisting that he is only advocating for self-determination for the Igbo people through peaceful means.
His movement, the Indigenous People of Biafra, has long called for the restoration of an independent Biafran state, citing historical marginalization and political exclusion. The Nigerian government, however, considers IPOB an illegal organization and has proscribed it as a terrorist group. Kanu’s arrest and continued detention have sparked numerous protests across the South-East region, with many of his supporters describing him as a prisoner of conscience.
The question of Kanu’s health has been a recurring issue throughout his detention. His lawyers have consistently argued that he suffers from serious medical conditions, including heart problems and severe ear infections, which they claim have been worsened by the conditions of his confinement. They have filed several applications seeking medical bail or permission for him to travel abroad for treatment. The government has repeatedly countered these claims, maintaining that Kanu has access to top-quality medical care while in DSS custody.
By involving the Nigerian Medical Association, the court aimed to ensure transparency and remove any doubts about the credibility of the medical reports. Many legal observers believe that the decision reflects the judiciary’s commitment to fairness and due process.
It also shows that the court firmly intends to stop either side from using health issues to delay the trial.
Legal and medical professionals across the country have widely praised the NMA’s involvement.
It reinforces the importance of independent institutions in resolving disputes that require expert judgment. The report has effectively ended one of the major sources of contention in the trial and allowed the court to focus on the substantive charges against Kanu. Nigerians hold mixed reactions to the medical report and the court’s ruling. Some Nigerians believe the outcome proves that the court pursues justice transparently and that the process now moves forward in the right direction.
Others, especially among Kanu’s supporters, remain skeptical, arguing that political influence might have shaped the NMA’s conclusions. They continue to insist that the government persecutes Kanu for his beliefs instead of prosecuting him for any actual crime.
Civil society groups have urged both the government and Kanu’s followers to respect the court’s decision and allow the judicial process to continue without interference. Some human rights activists emphasize that while Kanu must face justice, the government must also protect his rights and keep his trial open and fair.
The international community has also followed the case closely. Several global human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously raised concerns about Kanu’s detention and trial. They have called on the Nigerian government to handle the matter lawfully and transparently to avoid inflaming regional tensions. The government has consistently stated that it will follow due process and allow the law to take its course.
With the latest ruling, attention now shifts to October 23, when Kanu is expected to begin his defence. His legal team will have the opportunity to challenge the government’s evidence and present their own case. Legal analysts believe the coming phase of the trial will be crucial, as it will determine not only Kanu’s fate but also the direction of Nigeria’s broader political and security landscape.
For many Nigerians, the trial has become more than a courtroom matter—it has evolved into a national conversation about justice, equity, and the balance between freedom and unity. It tests whether the country’s institutions can fairly handle sensitive political cases and resolve dissent through law instead of violence.
The Nigerian Medical Association’s confirmation that Kanu is fit for trial now clears the path for the next phase. Justice Omotosho’s ruling restores direction to a process that had remained uncertain for months. Whether the court finds Kanu guilty or clears him of all charges, the proceedings will leave a lasting mark on Nigeria’s legal and political history.
For now, Kanu remains in DSS custody, preparing with his lawyers for the days ahead. His supporters continue to express hope that he will eventually regain his freedom, while the government remains firm that justice must take its course. What happens in the coming weeks will shape not only Kanu’s destiny but also the country’s approach to handling dissent, national unity, and the rule of law.
The confirmation of his medical fitness may appear to be a small procedural step, but in reality, it represents a major turning point. It closes one long chapter of argument and speculation, clearing the path for the case to move forward. For a trial that has defined political discourse in Nigeria for years, this moment marks the beginning of a more decisive phase—one that will test both the strength of the judiciary and the patience of a divided nation.