NMA yet to conclude ascertaining Nnamdi Kanu’s health status, DSS tells court

By Taiye Agbaje

Contrary to speculations in the media, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) committee set up to assess the health status of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has not concluded its work

Consequently, the NMA team is seeking for for more time to complete the report, the Department of State Services (DSS)’s lawyer, Suraj Sa’ada, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday

Sa’ada informed that the medical panel was yet to conclude its assignment.

He said the panel planned to do a thorough job and should be given adequate time.

He suggested that the committee be given another one week to enable it conclude its task.

Kanu’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, did not object to the one week adjournment sought by Sa’ada, and Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Oct. 16.

The judge had, in a ruling on Sept. 26, ordered the NMA President to among others, constitute a team of medical experts to examine Kanu and ascertain whether or not he is still fit to undergo his on going terrorism trial.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will this week debate a motion seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained IPOB leader, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker, on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, issued on Tuesday.

The decision according to Orizu followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu has reacted to a point of order raised on the subject matter by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rep. Obi Aguocha.

Aguocha had raised a point of order, (order 6 rule 2 on matters of privilege) during the plenary.

He stated that he was yet to get a response to the letter he wrote to House Leadership and FG for urgent medical intervention for Nnamdi Kanu whose health is reportedly deteriorating.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, urged Aguocha to step it down and present the matter properly another legislative day, as he came under the wrong House rules.

Corroborating, the Deputy Speaker while noting that the subject matter presented is important, assured the

Speaker that the motion will be presented properly before the house in the course of the week.

“Mr Speaker, I’m also from Abia State. On the issue that is being raised by my colleague, we will present it before the house properly in the course of the week.

“We will come properly before the house so that proper hearing will be given to it. I beg that you will give us the audience maybe tomorrow or next tomorrow,” Kalu said.

Responding, Speaker Abbas said, “No problem, it’s just the procedure that I was challenging not the substance of the issue. We will be willing and ready to give you all the time to present.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu