(DDM) – The lingering legal battle involving Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken a new turn as a medical panel from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) declared him fit to stand trial, dismissing concerns about his health condition.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the medical assessment was ordered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following repeated claims by Kanu’s legal team that his deteriorating health could hinder his ability to participate effectively in court proceedings.
According to the panel’s findings, Kanu’s ailment is not life-threatening, contrary to fears expressed by his lawyers and supporters.
The report emphasized that his current condition is manageable under regular medical supervision, clearing the way for the continuation of his long-delayed trial.
Justice Omotosho, after reviewing the medical report, officially accepted the NMA’s recommendation and ruled that the court would proceed with the hearing.
The judge also scheduled six consecutive trial days beginning on October 23, in what observers describe as a decisive phase of the high-profile case that has gripped Nigeria’s political and legal landscape for years.
In addition, the court approved a private legal consultation between Kanu and his defence team to be held inside the courtroom on October 22, one day before the commencement of the intensive trial sessions.
This move is seen as a rare gesture, allowing Kanu confidential access to his lawyers amid ongoing complaints about restricted communication and harsh detention conditions at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.
The decision comes amid renewed calls from rights activists and political figures, including Omoyele Sowore, demanding Kanu’s unconditional release or a political resolution to the long-running separatist dispute in the South-East.
Kanu, who has faced multiple charges bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitement, has remained in DSS custody since his controversial rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
The government has repeatedly insisted that his prosecution is purely a legal matter, not a political one, while IPOB and its supporters maintain that his arrest and continued detention violate both international law and human rights conventions.
Legal experts suggest that the upcoming six-day trial marathon could determine the trajectory of Kanu’s defence and possibly shape future conversations about justice, reconciliation, and governance in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The NMA panel’s report, seen by DDM sources, was described as comprehensive and impartial, focusing solely on Kanu’s medical fitness rather than the political dimensions of the case.
As the October 23 hearing date approaches, security around the Federal High Court complex in Abuja is expected to be heightened, given the sensitivity of the matter and previous incidents involving pro-Biafra supporters.
For many observers, the trial remains one of Nigeria’s most polarizing judicial proceedings, symbolizing both the struggle for justice and the tension between national unity and regional identity.
The Federal Government has yet to issue an official statement on the NMA’s findings, but sources suggest that the prosecution team is fully prepared to present its case when proceedings resume.