The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has declared that the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is medically fit to stand trial, following a thorough medical evaluation ordered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a report submitted to the court, the NMA stated that Kanu’s current health condition is not life-threatening and that he is stable enough to continue his trial under the supervision of medical professionals within the Department of State Services (DSS) facility.
The submission follows a directive issued on September 26, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho, who had ordered the NMA president to constitute an independent medical panel to assess Kanu’s health.
The order came after the IPOB leader’s legal team filed an application seeking his transfer from DSS custody to the National Hospital, Abuja, for specialized medical treatment.
Justice Omotosho’s directive aimed to provide an impartial medical evaluation amid claims by Kanu’s counsel that the DSS had denied him adequate medical attention, posing a serious risk to his wellbeing.
In compliance with the court’s order, the NMA panel conducted a series of medical examinations on Kanu and concluded that his health challenges were manageable and did not warrant an immediate transfer to any external hospital.
“Our findings indicate that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening. He is medically stable and fit to stand trial,” the NMA stated in its report to the court.
With the medical report now before the court, Justice Omotosho is expected to resume hearing in Kanu’s trial in the coming days, as the prosecution and defense prepare to make fresh submissions on the case’s next steps.
The development marks a significant turn in the long-running legal battle between the Federal Government and the IPOB leader, whose detention and trial have continued to generate wide public interest and political debate across the country.
Following the submission of the NMA’s report, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to October 23, 2025, for the commencement of Nnamdi Kanu’s defence, ruling that the DSS medical facility remains adequate to cater to his health needs.
The court further directed that Kanu must conclude his defence by October 30, 2025, emphasizing the need for a swift continuation of the trial in line with due process.
Justice Omotosho maintained that the court has provided sufficient opportunity for the defendant to access medical attention and prepare his defence, urging both parties to adhere strictly to the timeline set by the court.
