A senior member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebomi, has raised questions about reports attributing to the NMA an official declaration regarding the fitness of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu to stand trial. In an open letter to the NMA President, Dr. Adebomi clarified that the NMA, as a professional association, lacks constitutional or statutory powers to make determinations on whether a defendant is fit or unfit to stand trial.
She explained that the primary functions of the NMA, as outlined in its constitution and by-laws, are professional, ethical, and advocacy-based, not medico-legal decisions in court. While the courts may request expert medical opinions for assessing an accused person’s health status, such assessments are typically conducted by independent medical experts or panels specifically appointed by the court, not the NMA collectively.
Dr. Adebomi emphasized the need for the NMA to clarify its role regarding the media reports that suggested it declared Kanu fit for trial, to avoid confusion over professional boundaries. This statement comes amid ongoing legal proceedings where the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered a medical assessment concerning Kanu’s health.
The legal process involves independent panels examining whether Kanu’s health challenges could prevent him from effectively standing trial, with court oversight maintaining the separation between medical advice and judicial decisions.
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