An Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday has adjourned proceedings to April 2 to enable psychiatrists re-evaluate the psychiatric health of Charles Okah, a suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja so as to determine his fitness to stand trial.
The suspect’s mental state became paramount as his lawyers claimed that he was not mentally fit to face trial over his alleged involvement in the bombing; even though 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 had a meeting with the prosecution and defence lawyers in his chambers.
Afterwards, Izinyon told newsmen that the case had been adjourned to April 2 to enable three psychiatrists examine Okah’s mental state of health.
