By Akinwale Kasali
“On submission of NMA’s assessment of his health status, the Court would decide whether Kanu is fit to stand trial or not, and whether the DSS has adequate facilities and personnel to take care of his health issues”
The appeal by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, IPOB, for a transfer to the National Hospital Abuja over the alleged deterioration of his health seems to have fallen flat – temporarily, for now.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, on the orders of the Court, has been agitating for a transfer to the National hospital for a proper attention to his health, insisting he was down with a couple of serious health challenges including with his heart and kidney.
He posited that neither the medical facility at the DSS nor the medical team, was capable to handle his case. He alleged that his blood was drawn and sent to a South African facility.
He, therefore, requested to be transferred to a private ward at the National Hospital.
But Justice James Omotosho in a ruling on that request, ordered the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to set up an eight to 10- man team to assess Kanu’s health status and, even, determine if he is fit enough to stand trial.
The team should also determine if the facility and medical personnel at the DSS Medical Centre are capable of taking care of Kanu’s alleged health issues.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital should make the team as a member. The team, the Judge said, must also include a Cardiologist and a Neurologist.
Omotosho also said the team is free to use the DSS medical facility or any other hospital of its choice for the assessment.
The Judge made the order after reviewing the submissions by Kanu’s Lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and the Federal Government’s Lawyer, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.
He asked that the result of the assessment be brought to Court within eight days.
Kanu had, a few days ago, alleged that the FG would release him only when it is sure he would die as soon as he is released.
The IPOB Leader has been in custody since 2021.
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