The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the establishment of a panel by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to ascertain the health condition of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. The panel is to make its findings within eight days.
According to the court, the panel must include between eight and ten doctors and the panel of doctors should include a cardiologist and a neurologist, in addition to the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho further directed the physicians’ panel to determine whether the Department of State Services (DSS) hospital where Kanu is incarcerated can provide adequate the treatment. If it cannot, it is expected that a transfer to National Hospital will be recommended by the panel.
Kanu’s defence team has argued his health is steadily deteriorating and that the DSS hospital has inadequate supports to treat him. They cited independent medical reports suggesting he requires urgent attention outside the DSS hospital.
The prosecution also urged the court to order an impartial medical evaluation of Kanu. They argued that conflicting medical reports made an independent assessment necessary, while opposing a direct transfer without verification.
The judge eventually ruled that the NMA’s report must be signed by both the chairman and secretary of the panel before it is filed with the court registry.
It is worthy to note that this court order has been amid heightened public concern over Kanu’s health and ability to proceed with the trial. The medical panel’s report will likely dictate the next stage of proceedings in his matter.
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