An Anambra State High Court in Awka has sent a native doctor from Nnewi, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, also known as Muomiri Afuluanya, to the Amawbia Correctional Centre. This decision is pending further court proceedings in his case.
Justice Jude Obiora made this ruling after listening to both sides during the court session on June 3.
Ezenagu, who was brought to court from the hospital, was represented by his lawyer, Kingsley Awuka. He asked for bail due to health reasons and requested to stay in the hospital until the next hearing.
But the prosecuting lawyer, Tobechukwu Nweke, disagreed with this request. He urged the court to keep Ezenagu in custody until the bail request was decided.
Justice Obiora stated that a hospital cannot be a place for holding someone accused of a crime. He ordered that Ezenagu be moved to a correctional facility instead.
“A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant,” the judge said.
He then set the next court date for June 19 to continue with the case.
The case first came to court on April 23, but Ezenagu could not be arraigned then because he was said to be unwell.
At that earlier hearing, he looked weak and needed help from security personnel to enter the courtroom. This raised worries about his ability to stand trial.
Justice Obiora had ruled that Ezenagu was not fit to take his plea and postponed the case to allow him to get medical care.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by the Anambra State Government’s security team, Agunechemba. He is accused of breaking the state’s Homeland Security Law.
After his arrest, security agents reportedly searched his home in Nnewi as part of their ongoing investigation into his activities.
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