The ongoing terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has suffered another setback following the failure of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to submit its medical report on his health status to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, on Wednesday adjourned proceedings till October 16, 2025, after being informed that the NMA’s report was not yet ready for presentation.
During the last sitting, the court had directed the NMA President to assemble a panel of medical experts to assess Kanu’s health condition amid claims by his legal team that the IPOB leader’s health was deteriorating while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court had specifically mandated the medical board to determine whether the DSS medical facility was adequate for Kanu’s treatment or if he should be transferred to the National Hospital in Abuja, as requested by his defence counsel. The experts were also expected to assess whether Kanu was fit to continue standing trial.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, DSS counsel, Mr Suraj S’aad (SAN), informed the court that the NMA medical board had communicated its inability to complete and present the report within the stipulated time. He consequently sought a one-week adjournment to enable the board conclude its findings.
With no objections from Kanu’s legal team, Justice Omotosho granted the application and fixed October 16 for the submission of the report and continuation of the trial.
The trial, which has been characterised by multiple adjournments and legal tussles, continues to attract both local and international attention, as observers await the court’s final decision on the IPOB leader’s fate.
