Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Medical Transfer Sent to Chief Judge for Reassignment

A Federal High Court in Abuja has referred Nnamdi Kanu’s urgent motion for medical treatment back to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had approached the court through a motion ex-parte seeking an order to be moved from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention.

Justice Musa Liman, presiding over the vacation court on Monday, ruled that the application would have to be reassigned as the annual court vacation ends today.

The judge explained that the court was overwhelmed with more than 30 cases listed for the day, which had to be reduced to six due to time constraints. He stressed that under Section 46(8) of the Federal High Court Rules, matters not concluded during vacation must be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

Although Kanu’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Uchenna Njoku, argued the urgency of the motion on health grounds, Justice Liman said the application had been filed too late for the vacation court to decide.

The DSS, represented by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, did not oppose the motion being returned for reassignment. “Your lordship cannot perform any magic,” Awomolo remarked, noting that the court retains discretion over which cases proceed during vacation sittings.

The Chief Judge is now expected to reassign the motion for further hearing once regular court sessions resume.