Court Reserves Ruling on Nnamdi Kanu’s Transfer to National Hospital Amid Fierce Legal Battle

A Federal High Court in Abuja has stood down ruling on a motion seeking to transfer Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical treatment.

Justice James Omotosho reserved his decision on Friday after hearing heated arguments from both the Federal Government’s legal team and Kanu’s defence counsel.

Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges, is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). His lawyers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Onyechi Ikpeazu, argued that a medical report by Professor Austin Agaji confirmed that he requires specialised treatment at the National Hospital.

However, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, opposed the request, insisting that Kanu’s health concerns were being exaggerated. Awomolo said the DSS had fully complied with previous court orders by allowing Kanu access to relatives, doctors of his choice, and legal representatives.

He further warned that moving Kanu to the National Hospital could pose a “serious national security risk” if the facility were to be targeted during his presence, citing his alleged status as a flight risk.

Awomolo disclosed that a seven-member panel of medical experts from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had been set up by the DSS to independently assess Kanu’s health within a week.

Justice Omotosho asked Kanu’s lawyer if the defence would accept such an independent review. Ikpeazu said they would, provided the court formally ordered it.

The judge then adjourned briefly and stood down proceedings for ruling, leaving Kanu’s fate—and his medical treatment—hanging in the balance.