The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday directed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to establish a panel of medical experts to determine the health status of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice James Omotosho ordered that the panel, comprising eight to ten members from diverse medical fields, should investigate the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility to assess its capacity to handle Kanu’s condition. If found inadequate, the panel should recommend whether he be moved to the National Hospital, Abuja, for treatment.

The judge also ordered that the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital or a representative must be part of the panel, given that Kanu had chosen the hospital as his preferred treatment centre. The panel’s report, to be signed by its chairman and secretary, must be submitted within eight days.

The ruling followed arguments from both parties. Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had urged the court to allow his client to be transferred to the National Hospital based on a medical report by Professor of Medicine, Austin Agaji, which indicated Kanu was facing serious health challenges.

Counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the DSS had already complied with earlier court orders allowing Kanu access to his lawyers, relations and doctors of choice. He argued that moving Kanu to the National Hospital would pose security risks, claiming the defendant remained a flight risk and that the hospital could become militarised.

Awomolo also questioned the credibility of Professor Agaji’s report, noting that the consultant neither worked at the National Hospital nor provided evidence of inadequate treatment by the DSS. He added that the DSS had already constituted a seven-member medical panel from the NMA to examine Kanu.

Ikpeazu, however, said he was unaware of such a panel, but agreed to an independent NMA panel if ordered by the court.

The case was subsequently adjourned to 8 October for further proceedings.