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Orders Nigerian Medical Association to Check Fitness of IPOB Leader
- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled out the no-case submission filed by Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed leader of the separatists’ group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in his ongoing trial on terrorism-related charges.
Kanu’s submission was dismissed in a ruling delivered on Friday by Justice James Omotosho.
The presiding judge held that the Federal Government had established a prima facie case against Kanu, thereby requiring him to open his defence.
The court stated that it was in Kanu’s best interest to be given the opportunity to address the issues raised against him.
On concerns over the health condition of the IPOB leader, Justice Omotosho ordered the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a team of between eight and 10 members to determine Kanu’s fitness to stand trial.
This is coming from Kanu’s request to be transferred to a private ward at the National Hospital for urgent medical attention for an alleged life-threatening illness.
Having listened to the argument of both the IPOB leader’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the judge the NMA team to assess the health facilities of the Department of State Services (DSS) to determine if they were adequate to effectively take care of defendant’s ailment.
Justice Omotosho gave eight-day ultimatum for submission of the team’s report, which must be signed by both its chairman and secretary, to the court’s registry.