Court sends Anambra native doctor to jail over security law breach

An Anambra State High Court in Awka has sent a native doctor from Nnewi, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, known as Muomiri Afuluanya, to the Amawbia Correctional Centre. This is while his trial continues.

Justice Jude Obiora made this decision after hearing both the defence and prosecution on June 3.

Ezenagu, who was taken to court from the hospital, asked for bail due to health issues. His lawyer, Kingsley Awuka, wanted him to stay in the hospital until the next court date.

But the prosecuting lawyer, Tobechukwu Nweke, disagreed with the bail request. He asked the court to keep Ezenagu in custody until the bail hearing.

In his ruling, Justice Obiora stated that a hospital cannot be used for holding an accused person. He ordered Ezenagu to be taken to a correctional facility instead.

"A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant," the judge said.

He then postponed the case to June 19 for the next steps.

The case started on April 23, but Ezenagu could not be arraigned then because he was reportedly unwell. During that earlier court session, he looked very weak and needed help to enter the courtroom. This raised worries about whether he could stand trial.

Justice Obiora had previously decided that Ezenagu was not fit to enter a plea and delayed the case to allow him to get medical care.

Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by Anambra State's security group, Agunechemba. He faced accusations of breaking the state's Homeland Security Law.

After his arrest, security agents searched his home in Nnewi as part of their ongoing investigation into his activities.