Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has challenged the medical report issued by a panel set up by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), insisting it was never based on any real examination.
The dispute stems from a September 26 ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, who ordered the NMA president to assemble a team of experts to assess Kanu’s health. This followed an application seeking his transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Hospital, Abuja, due to reported severe health complications, including liver and pancreatic issues, an armpit lump, and critically low potassium levels.
Despite Kanu’s claims, the NMA panel reported in open court on October 16 that he was medically fit to stand trial.
In a new suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kanu argues that the report submitted to the court was fraudulent. Filed by his lawyer, Maxwell Opara, the suit alleges that neither the NMA president, Bala Audi, nor any member of the investigative committee ever visited or examined him as ordered by the court.
According to the suit, the medical report dated September 23, 2025, was “forged” and amounted to professional misconduct, perjury, and an attempt to mislead the judiciary—actions Kanu claims jeopardised his health and violated his constitutional rights.
He contends that the court’s reliance on the disputed report led to the denial of proper medical treatment and bail, worsening his physical condition and causing emotional and reputational harm.
Kanu seeks several remedies, including:
- A declaration that the defendants violated his rights to dignity and fair hearing under sections 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
- A public retraction of the alleged false medical report.
- A perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from issuing or relying on unverified medical documents about him.
- An order directing the NMA to conduct a fresh, independent medical examination by experts not connected to the defendants.
- N50 billion in general damages and N500 million in exemplary damages for alleged fabrication and abuse of authority.
The defendants listed in the suit include the NMA, its president, and the individual members of the medical team that submitted the report.