Independence Day Blast: Okah Loses Bid To Delay Trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday refused an application brought by Mr. Charles Okah who is standing trial for the twin bomb blast in Abuja on 1 October 2010 during the Independence Day celebrations.

The suspected bomber had sought for a stay of proceedings in his trial before the court to enable him and the other suspects challenge the decision of the court denying their earlier application for the allegations against them to be quashed, which is pending at the Court of Appeal.

The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had dismissed the motion to quash the charges levelled against them and had held that there is a prima facie evidence linking them to the alleged crime.

On the application to stop his trial, the court held that the grounds on which the application to stay proceedings was brought by Mr. Okah did not fall into the category of reasons which the law stipulates and dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

After refusing Mr. Okah’s application to stay proceedings, Justice Kolawole ordered the Federal Government to take him to the National Hospital for medical attention as he appears to be suffering from partial paralysis.

The prosecutor, Dr. Alex Izinyon, undertook on behalf of the Federal Government, to take Mr. Okah directly to the National Hospital from the court for a medical examination or treatment as may be required to ensure that he is medically fit to face his trial.

Justice Kolawole subsequently fixed trial for 15 February.

Charles Okah, alongside Edmund Ebiware, Obi Nwabueze and Tiemkemfa Francis Osuwo (aka General Gbokos) were arrested by officers of the state security service, SSS, in the wake of the twin bomb explosions which rocked the Federal Capital city on the day Nigeria was elaborately celebrating its 50th independence anniversary.

—Nnamdi Felix/Abuja