Court Rules Nnamdi kanu Medically Fit to Stand Terrorism Trial Amid Claim of No Blood Sample Taken from Him
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has ruled that Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is medically fit to stand trial on terrorism charges levelled against him.
This determination was based on a report from a medical panel constituted by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which was ordered by the court on September 26, 2025, to assess Kanu's health amid his ongoing complaints of deteriorating conditions while in DSS custody. The panel, comprising eight doctors to wit: seven specialists from Nigeria's geopolitical zones in fields like ophthalmology, neurology, urology, and gastroenterology, plus a coordinator, examined Kanu and submitted its report to the Attorney General of the Federation on October 13, 2025.
During court proceedings today - October 16, 2025, the prosecution led by Barr. Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), referenced the report, and portions were read aloud in open court. The report stated in part that “the defendant’s ailment is not life-threatening and that he is fit to continue the trial."
There were no immediate objections raised in court to the report's findings by either side, and Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the case to October 23, 2025, for Kanu to commence and conclude his defense over six consecutive days. The judge also approved a request from Kanu's lead counsel, Barr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), for private consultations between Kanu and his legal team outside DSS premises to avoid potential monitoring. This is set for October 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the courtroom, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
Meanwhile, one of Kanu's lawyers in a media briefing with TVC immediately after the court session, disclosed that no blood sample was taken from Kanu. The lawyer also criticized the NMA panel's report as invalid and fabricated, asserting that no proper medical examination of Kanu was conducted to produce it. He specifically noted that the report failed to document any standard procedures, such as obtaining a blood sample, performing lab tests, or detailing results. He further accused the panel of simply drafting the document in an office without evidence. "They never examine Kanu only for them to come up with this report, and you cannot just enter into your office room and you open your system and start writing trash. The report listed various ailments but inexplicably concluded Kanu was fit for trial. NMA should act professionally cause this involves somebody's life." he said.
In a separate ruling, Justice Omotosho determined that the DSS medical facility is adequate for Kanu's treatment, rejecting his claims of negligence and poor conditions. This came despite Kanu's September 29, 2025, letter to the NMA president accusing the DSS of grave medical negligence and falsification, and an October 3, 2025, petition from his international counsel, Bruce Fein, to the World Medical Association (WMA) seeking intervention, ethical reviews of DSS medical personnel, protection for doctors like Professor Aghaji, and release of the full NMA report. The WMA petition emphasized that neglect of conditions like tinnitus and sleep deprivation could lead to stroke, collapse, or sudden death, and highlighted Kanu's initial mistreatment in Kenya to wit: eight days in confinement without adequate food, water, or medication, resulting in high blood pressure treated with Amlodipine.
Note that the court's order for the NMA panel stemmed from Kanu's repeated applications to be transferred from DSS custody to a facility like the National Hospital, citing inadequate medical care since his June 2021 arrest and rendition from Kenya. Kanu has alleged severe health issues, including potassium deficiency, tinnitus, sleep apnea, nosebleeds, fainting spells, chest pains, headaches, swelling in his feet, aortic valve regurgitation, congestive heart failure, and problems affecting his liver, kidneys, bladder, prostate, and white matter. An earlier assessment on September 22, 2025, by Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji - a surgeon engaged by Kanu's team, stabilized some conditions and recommended nasal surgery, but Kanu claims DSS-appointed doctors, such as Dr. Nasiru Mohammed, have falsified records and provided substandard care. Blood samples from Kanu were reportedly sent for analysis in South Africa at one point, with potassium supplements prescribed but inconsistently managed, leading to repeated drops in levels when withdrawn. Kanu's legal team has stated that over 50 blood samples have been taken overall during his more than four years in solitary confinement, yet his health has not improved under DSS oversight, which they describe as involving medical quackery, intimidation of independent doctors, and propaganda to conceal the issues.
This is a developing story, as more report surfaces, this news article will be updated. Stick around.
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