From Victor Osula, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to constitute a team of medical experts to ascertain the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is facing a seven-count amended charge of treason and terrorism preferred against him by the Federal Government. He has been in the detention facility of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 27, 2021, when he was extradited to Nigeria after he was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021.
The IPOB leader had in an ex-parte motion application, prayed for an order directing his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention. His counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), had pleaded that the court considered the urgency of the application due to the deteriorating health of Kanu.
Ruling on Friday, Justice James Omotosho directed the NMA to constitute a team of medical experts to ascertain the health condition of Kanu within eight days.
Directing that the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital must also be a member of the committee, along with a cardiologist and a neurologist, the court ordered that its composition should be between 8 and 10 members who are at liberty to make use of any hospital in the country to carry out its investigations.
Justice Omotosho ordered the medical team to visit the medical facility of the DSS, to confirm if it has the capacity to meet Kanu’s health needs.
