Detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has challenged the medical report presented by a team of experts appointed by the Nigeria Medical Association to assess his health.
In a fresh suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kanu is requesting that the court order a new medical examination by a different team of NMA-appointed specialists.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, where Kanu is standing trial on terrorism-related charges, had previously directed the NMA president to set up a panel of medical experts to determine whether Kanu was fit to continue his trial.
The decision followed conflicting medical reports submitted by the prosecution and Kanu’s legal team.
The NMA panel submitted its report on September 23, stating that Kanu did not have any life-threatening conditions and was fit to stand trial.
In the suit filed on his behalf by Maxwell Opara, Kanu alleges that the medical report was fabricated.
The defendants listed in the suit include the NMA, its President Dr. Bala Mohammed Audu, and members of the team that produced the report: Dr. Benjamin Egbon O; Prof. Emem Abraham; Dr. Ajibare Adeola; Dr. Temitope Farombi; Dr. Sunday Samson Owolade; Dr. Mustaoha Said Salihu; Dr. Yarima Suleiman Yusuf; Dr. Nwosu Ekeoma; and Dr. Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu.
Kanu accused the defendants of malice, negligence, and professional misconduct, asserting that they failed to perform their duty to personally examine him as ordered by the court.
He claimed the panel deliberately issued a false and misleading medical report, acting in bad faith with reckless disregard and gross violation of professional ethics. He further alleged that the defendants conspired “to pervert and in fact perverted the course of justice” and caused “avoidable pain and injury to the claimant’s person and reputation.”
Kanu stated in the claim that no medical examination was conducted on him as required.
He added: “While standing trial at the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, I experienced a significant deterioration in my health condition. Consequently, through my counsel, I submitted a medical report to the trial court evidencing my ill-health and praying for either bail or access to proper medical care. The prosecution challenged the authenticity of the said medical report, prompting the honourable court to order the Nigerian Medical Association to constitute a committee to examine the claimant and to make an independent medical report on his state of health and fitness to stand trial while in detention.
“Pursuant to the said order, the first defendant – Nigerian Medical Association – acting through its President; the second defendant, was to constitute a panel and physically examine the claimant at the place of his detention. The claimant avers that at no time did the second defendant or any committee of the first defendant visit, interview, or examine him medically in compliance with the order of the court.
“Shockingly, the defendants purportedly forged, prepared, and submitted a false medical report dated 23rd September 2025 to Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015. The said report is a fabrication, made without any medical examination or consultation with the claimant and constitutes a gross professional misconduct, perjury, reckless disregard for the authority of the court, and the rights of the claimant.
“The false report was intended to mislead the court and in fact, it did mislead the court, discredited the claimant’s genuine medical condition, and subjected him to further suffering, pain, and risk of irreversible deterioration in health. As a direct result of the defendants’ false report, the trial court relied on same to deny the claimant access to adequate medical treatment and/or bail, leading to further worsening of his health, emotional distress, and reputational injury.
“The claimant has suffered and continues to suffer significant physical and psychological harm, as well as humiliation and violation of his constitutional right to dignity of the human person under Section 34(1)a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
Kanu is seeking several reliefs, including:
A declaration that the purported medical report dated 23rd September 2025 submitted by the defendants is false, fabricated, and in violation of court orders and medical ethics.
A declaration that the defendants’ actions constitute a gross violation of his right to a fair trial and dignity under Sections 34 and 36 of the Constitution.
An order directing the defendants to withdraw and publicly retract the false medical report.
A perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from relying on any unverified medical report regarding Kanu.
An order compelling the NMA to conduct a proper independent medical examination by specialists unconnected to the current defendants.
General damages of N50 billion for health, reputation, and emotional distress.
Exemplary damages of N500 million for malicious fabrication and abuse of professional authority.
N15 million as costs of the action.
