An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has remanded an Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as Muomiri Afuluanya at the Amawbia Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his trial.
Justice Jude Obiora gave the order after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution during proceedings on June 3.
Ezenagu, who was brought to court from the hospital, had through his counsel, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds and requested permission to remain in the hospital until the next adjourned date.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the application and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the bail motion.
In his ruling, Justice Obiora held that a hospital was not a recognised facility for the detention of an accused person and ordered that Ezenagu be remanded in a correctional facility.
“A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant,” the judge ruled.
He subsequently adjourned the matter to June 19 for continuation of proceedings.
The case was first brought before the court on April 23, but Ezenagu’s arraignment could not proceed due to his alleged ill-health.
During the earlier sitting, the defendant appeared visibly frail and was assisted into the courtroom by security operatives, prompting concerns about his fitness to stand trial.
Justice Obiora had then ruled that Ezenagu was not medically fit to take his plea and adjourned the matter to allow him receive medical attention.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the Anambra State Government’s security outfit, Agunechemba, over allegations of violating the state’s Homeland Security Law.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly conducted a search of his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations into his activities.
