Nnamdi Kanu files N50bn suit against NMA over ‘false’ medical report certifying him fit to stand trial

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has faulted the medical report presented by a team of experts constituted by the president of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to ascertain his health status.

In a ruling on September 26, James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court, issued an order directing the president of the NMA to constitute an investigative panel to ascertain the defendant’s health status.

Omotosho gave the directive while ruling on an application seeking to move Kanu from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody to the National Hospital in the federal capital territory (FCT) for treatment.

The IPOB leader had claimed that his health had deteriorated in detention, citing medical reports that revealed liver and pancreatic complications, a lump under his armpit, and dangerously low potassium levels.

However, in the report presented and read in open court on October 16, the NMA panel concluded that Kanu is fit to stand trial.

Kanu has now filed a fresh suit before the high court of the federal capital territory (FCT), seeking, among others, an order for fresh medical examination by a different team of experts.

In the suit filed by Maxwell Opara (a member of the legal team he once sacked), Kanu is claiming that the medical report was fabricated.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the NMA; its president, Bala Audi, and members of the team that issued the medical report.

The team members include Benjamin Egbon, Emem Abraham, Ajibare Adeola, Temitope Farombi, Sunday Samson Owolade, Mustaoha Said Salihu, Yarima Suleiman Yusuf, Nwosu Ekeoma and Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu.

“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,” the court document reads.

“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 wants the court to declare that “defendants’ conduct constitutes a gross violation of the claimant’s right to fair bearing and to dignity of human person as guaranteed under sections 34 and 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)”.

He is also seeing an order directing the defendants to withdraw and publicly retract the said false medical report.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies or assigns from further publishing or relying on any false or unverified medical report concerning the claimant,” the court document reads.

“An order compelling the Nigerian Medical Association to conduct a proper, independent medical examination of the claimant by competent specialists not connected with the defendants herein.

“An award of general damages in the sum of N50billion for injury to health, reputation, emotional distress, and violation of the claimant’s fundamental rights.

“An award of exemplary damages in the sum of N500million for malicious fabrication and abuse of professional authority.”