Law News
Bombing: Charles Okah undergoes anus surgery, judge adjourns trial

The alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja, Charles Okah, is currently at the National Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory recuperating from haemorrhoids (piles) surgery.

Okah is standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja along with Obi Nwabueze for terrorism charges arising from the 2010 Independence Day bombing incident, in which 12 persons were said to have died.

Okah was absent from court on Monday.

He was before his admission to the hospital on remand along with his co-accused, Nwabueze, at the Kuje Prison, Abuja.

Though Nwabueze was produced in court in Monday, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had to adjourn the case due to the first defendant’s absence.

The judge then adjourned the case till March 10 after the prosecuting counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), gave an update on Okah’s medical status to the court.

Izinyon said, “The first defendant (Okah) was on February 18 taken to the National Hospital for surgery and as of this morning (Monday) he is still there.

“I confirmed from the prison officials that he is there. Though he was willing to be brought here for the trial, I did not buy that because I needed to hear from the medical personnel handling him.

“In the light of this, I ask for a short adjournment. By then we hope that he will be strong enough for the trial to continue.”

The application for adjournment was not opposed by the defence lawyers – Messrs Samuel Zibiri (SAN) and Oghenenovo Otemu.

The judge subsequently fixed March 10 and 14; April 19, 26 and 27 as well as May 3 for continuation of trial.

Justice Kolawole had on February 16 ordered the Nigerian Prisons Service to transfer Okah to the National Hospital to undergo piles surgery.

The judge had also ordered that prison officials should ensure adequate security around the defendant and the hospital throughout his treatment.

Izinyon had earlier called a medical doctor with the Central Hospital, Warri in Delta State,Dr. Ikpekwe Efe, who was said to be among those who removed the victims of a bomb blast in Warri in 2010.

The second witness, Mr Uchenna Ugba, a lawyer and Nwabueze’s brother-in-law also testified.

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