By Correspondent in Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday stood down proceedings in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to deliver a ruling on a motion seeking his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical treatment.
The matter was adjourned after counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), adopted their written addresses and presented arguments for and against the application.
Ikpeazu argued that documentary evidence, including a medical report by Prof. Austin Agaji, a professor of medicine, confirmed that Kanu required treatment at the National Hospital.
Awomolo, however, opposed the request, citing a counter-affidavit filed on September 15. He maintained that the Department of State Services (DSS) had fully complied with earlier court orders allowing Kanu access to family, lawyers, and medical doctors of his choice.
The government’s counsel further argued that transferring Kanu to the National Hospital would pose a national security risk, given that he is considered a flight risk and could endanger other patients if the facility were attacked.
He also faulted the medical report relied on by Kanu’s team, pointing out that Prof. Agaji neither works at the National Hospital nor provided evidence that the treatment Kanu had received was inadequate. According to him, Kanu’s health condition was being exaggerated to mislead the public.
Awomolo revealed that the DSS had already set up a seven-member panel of medical experts from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to independently assess Kanu’s fitness within one week.
When Justice Omotosho asked Ikpeazu if he would agree to an NMA panel’s assessment, the defence lawyer said he would consent if ordered by the court.
The judge subsequently stood down the matter for ruling.
Details later.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
