Again, court orders fresh psychiatric evaluation on Okah

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday adjourned to April 2, this year, for the report of the medical examination conducted on suspected terrorist, Charles Okah.
At the resumed hearing, Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that a fresh medical assessment, that would reveal Okah’s current mental state, be conducted.
The judge’s decision was based upon observation raised by defence lawyer, John Ainetor, about “some inconsistencies contained in the report.”
Okah is being tried with Obi Nwabueze over the 2010 Independence Day twin bombing in Abuja which caused the death of about 12 people, leaving several others injured.
Four people, believed to be members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) led by Henry Okah (currently serving jail term in South Africa) were originally arraigned before the court in December 2011, over the incident.
One of them, Tiemkemfa Francis Osvwo a.ka General Gbokos, died later, while another, Edmund Ebiware, who had his trial conducted separately, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
At the last hearing on December 4, last year, Justice Kolawole, upon complaint by Ainetor that Okah was not mentally fit to stand trial, ordered a psychiatric evaluation on him.
Justice Kolawole gave a copy of the medical report from the National Hospital, Abuja, dated January 9, to lawyers on both sides to read.
After reading the report, lead prosecution lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) had argued that from the report, it could be deduced that Okah was fit to stand trial. He said he was ready to proceed and sought the court’s permission to continue with the trial.
Ainetor objected, saying that the report contained some contradicting information.