by Ihuoma Chiedozie
Charles Okah
An Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday adjourned proceedings to April 2 to enable three expert psychiatrists re-evaluate the psychiatric health of a suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja, Charles Okah, in order to determine his fitness to stand trial.
Okah’s mental health became a subject of debate after his lawyers claimed that he was not mentally fit to face trial over his alleged involvement in the bombing.
The suspect, who has been consigned to a wheel-chair during his recent appearances in court, had become emaciated and made unintelligible gestures during proceedings.
But the Federal Government has insisted that the suspect is merely pretending, and that he is fit to be prosecuted.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on January 15 ordered further evaluation of Okah’s mental health after his lawyer, John Ainetor; and prosecution counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, disagreed over the report of the initial assessment conducted by the National Hospital, Abuja.
Justice Kolawole had directed the two parties to return on Wednesday to consider the report of the fresh evaluation, which would determine whether the trial would proceed or not.
But the hearing did not hold on Wednesday despite the presence of Okah and his co-accused, Obi Nwabueze, in the courtroom.
Instead, the judge met the prosecution and defence lawyers in his chambers.
After the meeting in the judge’s chambers, Izinyon informed journalists that the case had been adjourned to April 2 so that a team of three experts could further examine Okah.
He explained that the closed-door meeting between the judge and the counsel was informed by national security considerations.
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