Anti-Tinubu protester Obiajulu Uja remanded in prison for medical observation

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A Magistrate Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of Obiajulu Uja, the passenger forcefully taken off an Ibom Air Flight in Abuja while shouting that Presidentelect, Bola Tinubu should not be inaugurated in Kuje prison for one month for medical observation of his mental status.

While at the prison, the court ordered that Ujah should be carefully examined by medical personnel who will give a report on the state of his mind in writing.

Ujah, believed to be one of the supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly called the Obidients was handed over to the police for prosecution for exhibiting inappropriate behavior, on the AbujaLagos bound Ibom Air flight on 31 March.

Ujah was subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Abdulazeel Ismail Muhammed of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Magistrate Court.

However, his lawyer, Ejike Ugwu, had alleged that he was not of sound mental health when he was first arraigned in court on 11 April and demanded that he should given bail.

However, the Senior Magistrate dismissed the bail application.

He held that the exhibits attached to the application did not indicate that the defendant was unfit for trial but rather, that he is of unsound mind.

The Magistrate also held that while the constitution guarantees every persons liberty, a court can deprive a person of their liberty based on health grounds.

He held that where the mental capacity of a defendant is an issue, the court has the duty to ascertain the medical situation of such defendant.