Okah Trial: I Was Drugged – Charles Okah
The Nigerian Government has started procedures to accelerate the trial of the alleged planner of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blast at Eagles Square, FCT Abuja.
The FG is trying to accelerate the Trial of Henry Okah's junior brother, Charles Okah alongside Obi Nwabueze.
The FG was reacting to allegation made by Charles that he was forcefully administered an epilepsy inducing drug called Epilim Sodium Valproate (ESV) at Kuje Prisons.
The FG denied the claims and said that the accused was bent on frustrating the trial and delay it for another four years.
Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon, SAN, said: “My Lord, the accused person is bent on frustrating this trial. His fresh application to be evaluated by an independent medical practitioner is very frivolous and wasteful of the precious time of this court. The state is irritated by this application. “It is a clear ploy by the accused person to further delay this matter after four years.
Justice is three-way traffic and my Lord should consider the interest of the larger society. People lost their dear ones in that explosion which led to the instant death of four children who came to watch the Independence Day celebration.
“They are certainly crying out for justice, this is why we want this trial to be expedited. This is a matter of serious nature that involves treason”, Iziyon added.
The issue of Charles Okah's immobility was raised up as he is currently confined to a wheel chair and the FG argued that if the Egyptian president was brought to court in a cage and tried on a bed, Charles could be tried in his wheel chair.
The prosecutor also said that there was no proof epilepsy drugs are still being given to Okah and even doubted the story, He insisted: “We do not agree that the drug was even given to him. The document was cooked up to whip-up sentiment of this court”.
The Defence Council, Mr. John Anieto urged the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole to allow them bring in a private firm to run medical tests on his client because the National Hospital is a branch of the FG and therefore its report can be tendered.
The trial judge Justice Gabriel Kolawole revealed the court will have to suspend the hearing if it's ascertained that Okah is not mentally fit.
He adjourned the matter to June 9 for ruling.
Source: Legit.ng
