Court Rules DSS Medical Facility Adequate for Nnamdi Kanu, Orders Defence to Begin October 23
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility is sufficient for the treatment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The court also ordered Kanu to commence his defence on October 23, 2025, and close it on or before October 30, 2025, according to reports by ABN TV.
The ruling, delivered during Thursday’s session, marks a new phase in the long-running trial that has sparked intense public and political debate across Nigeria and beyond.
DSS Medical Report Sparks Defence Outrage
Confirming the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kanu’s lead counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, expressed dismay over what he described as an “ambush” against the defence team.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case has just been adjourned to 23rd October 2025 for commencement of his defence. The Judge further held that the DSS medical facility is adequate for his medical care and that MNK has until 30th October to close his defence,” Ejimakor posted.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Ejimakor alleged that the defence team was only served the medical report from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) during the court session — a report that was due since September 26.
“We were taken by surprise today. The NMA report is dated October, but we only got it in open court. The defence had no opportunity to properly react to it,” he said.
Questions Over Medical Examination and Fairness
Ejimakor further argued that the court-ordered medical examination was never conducted, claiming that the report relied instead on an informal interaction with Kanu weeks before the court’s directive.
“The report appears assumptive and medically baseless,” he stated. “You’re talking about someone’s life. How do you conclude he’s fit for trial without any proper medical tests?”
He also accused the prosecution of deliberately delaying the report to weaken the defence’s preparation, saying the move denied them adequate time to consult their client and review the findings.
“This Is Beyond Nnamdi Kanu – It’s About the Igbo People”
In a passionate statement, Ejimakor suggested that the case reflects a broader sense of marginalisation against the Igbo people, arguing that while the government has negotiated with insurgent groups in other regions, Kanu is being subjected to an exceptional standard of justice.
“As a matter of truth, the Igbos are on trial,” Ejimakor declared. “This is not just about one man. The same government that pardons bandits and negotiates with terrorists is insisting on prosecuting someone exercising his constitutional rights.”
He also questioned whether the court even has jurisdiction over Kanu’s case, given its political and human rights implications.
Court Maintains Its Stand
Despite the objections raised by the defence, the presiding judge maintained that the DSS medical facility is sufficient for Kanu’s care and that the trial must proceed as scheduled.
The case is now set to resume on October 23, 2025, when Kanu will open his defence, with proceedings expected to close by October 30, 2025.
Observers told Akahi News that the upcoming sessions could define the direction of one of Nigeria’s most contentious trials — one that continues to test the boundaries between national security, political dissent, and human rights.
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