Charles Okah,the alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja, Charles Okah, is recuperating at the National Hospital in the FCT where he had haemorrhoids (piles) surgery. Recall 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. Due to his health status, Okah was absent from court on Monday. Though his co-accused, Nwabueze was produced in court in Monday, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, adjourned the case due to the Okah’s absence.
The judge 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. According to Izinyon, “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.
