Deadline over ill Nigerian leader

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The Nigerian cabinet has been ordered by the federal court to decide within 14 days if ill President Umaru Yar'Adua is fit to lead the country.

The president has been in Saudi Arabia for two months, receiving treatment for a heart condition.

The court ruling directed the cabinet to pass a resolution about whether he "is incapable of discharging the functions of his office".

The president's absence has raised concerns about a power vacuum.

The Federal High Court ruled that cabinet should hear testimony from five doctors, one of whom should be the president's personal physician.

If cabinet decides that the president is not fit to carry out his duties, the vice-president would take over, the court ruled.

YAR'ADUA ILLNESS TIMELINE 23 November 2009: Goes to hospital in Saudi Arabia26 November 2009: Presidential doctors say he has pericarditis - inflammation of the heart lining23 December 2009: First court case filed called him to step down30 December 2009: Chief justice sworn in. Lawyers say this is illegal in president's absence5 January 2010: Two more court cases filed and a human rights group wants president declared "missing"12 January 2010: President gives first interview since going to Saudi Arabia <a class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8455130.stm">Yar'Adua's absence still rankles</a> <a class="" href="/2/hi/africa/6187249.stm">Profile: President Umaru Yar'Adua</a>

The court was responding to a law suit brought by opposition activist Farouk Adamu Aliyu.

He had asked for the judges to sack the president over his failing health and for failing to abide by the provisions of the constitution.

On Thursday, more than 1,000 people gathered in Lagos to protest against Mr Yar'Adua's prolonged absence.

Some carried placards saying: "Enough of the offshore president and a people's constitution now."

The protesters argue that when the president left the country to go to hospital he did not hand executive powers to his deputy, as required by the constitution.

Two other court cases have also been brought by Nigerians concerned at their leader's absence.

In a BBC interview from his hospital bed last week, the president said he was recovering and hoped to return home, without giving a timeframe. This was his first interview since he left for Saudi Arabia in November 2009.

It is not clear if he will be able to return to perform his duties within the two-week deadline.

In the wake of his absence, the president has faced various legal challenges.

Last week one ruling said Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan could perform all presidential duties while Mr Yar'Adua was away.

President Yar'Adua is being treated for inflammation of the lining around the heart and has a long-standing kidney complaint.