The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed the “no-case submission” filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Kanu, requiring him to enter his defence on the charges preferred against him.
The court also turned down Kanu’s application seeking transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical examination over alleged deteriorating health conditions.
The request sparked heated legal fireworks between counsel to the DSS, led by Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and Kanu’s lead lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.
While Ikpeazu argued that his client’s health had worsened and could not be managed within DSS facilities, Awomolo opposed the application, insisting that DSS medical personnel were competent to handle the situation.
In a bid to resolve the controversy, Justice Omotosho ordered the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to immediately constitute an independent investigation panel to assess Kanu’s medical condition and report back to the court within eight days.
The judge stressed that the arrangement would ensure impartiality in determining the true state of Kanu’s health while addressing the conflicting medical reports presented by his private consultants and the DSS medical team.
The trial is expected to continue after the NMA submits its findings.
