The Zuba Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has remanded anti-Tinubu protester Obiajulu Uja in Kuje Prison prison for one month to assess his mental state.
The order was issued by the court on Thursday.
Mr. Uja was kicked off an Ibom Airlines trip from Abuja to Lagos after making a critical statement about President-elect Bola Tinubu.
In his decision on the bail application, senior magistrate Mohammed Ismail stated that based on the report signed by Segun Soyombo of the National Hospital, Abuja, he considered the defendant could not stand trial in his current mental state.
Mr Uja’s mental state had been determined by a medical test ordered by the court.
As a result, the magistrate invoked section 278(3)(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to order Mr Uja’s remand for no more than one month.
He ruled that the defendant should be remanded in an appropriate facility with the necessary medical facilities to care for him for one month.
The magistrate further ordered that the medical personnel caring for Mr Uja do so at the expense of the federal government.
Mr Ismail ruled that the personnel should report his observations of the defendant to the court, adding that he had personally visited the Kuje Prison and reviewed its medical facilities, which he found to be adequate for Mr Uja’s care.
Mr. Uja requested that the court allow him to speak.
Mr Uja informed the court that remanding him in Kuje for a month meant the court planned to kill him.
“I have a sickness that no medical doctor can cure, and as such, I want to go to my village to consult a herbal doctor,” said Mr Uja.
The case was deferred by the court until May 23 for a report.
On April 11, the court denied Mr Uja release because the exhibits attached to his bail application presented by his counsel did not state that he was incompetent to stand trial, but rather that he was of unsound mind.
Mr Ismail ruled that, while the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees everyone’s liberty, a court can strip someone of their liberty if certain requirements are met.
He then directed that Mr. Uja be transported to a government hospital for an evaluation of his mental ability.
On April 3, police accused Mr. Uja with violation of public peace under charge number CR/08/23.
He, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him.
(NAN)
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