A magistrate court in Zuba, Abuja has refused to grant bail to Obiajulu Uja, a passenger who protested against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president-elect while onboard an Ibom Air flight. On March 31, the passenger caused a scene on a 6 pm flight from Abuja to Lagos, according to a statement signed by Head of Media of the Obi-Datti, Diran Onifade.
According to reports, Uja was heard addressing others on the aircraft, saying that Tinubu cannot be sworn in. Uja was arraigned on April 4 and charged with “public nuisance, resistance to a lawful arrest, threatening violence and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace contrary to sections 396, 267,188,172 and 144 of the Penal Code Law”.
Ruling on the bail application at the court session on Tuesday, Mohammed Ismail, senior magistrate, held that the application was premature. According to Ismail, the exhibits attached to the application did not say the defendant was unfit to stand trial but that he was of unsound mind. He also held that while the constitution guarantees every person’s liberty, a court can deprive a person of their liberty based on health grounds. Citing the provisions of section 35(1)(e) of the 1999 constitution and section 278 of the administration of the criminal justice act (ACJA), 2015, the magistrate held that Uja cannot be granted bail.
He ordered that Uja be remanded at the Kuje correctional centre, adding that the head of the prison should take him to a government hospital to ascertain his mental capacity. He then adjourned the case to April 20 for a report and hearing. This news will serve as warning to overzealous supporters of loosers that they should learn from this case that Nigeria is a lawful country and that any one taking the peace of the country for granted will definitely find themselves to blame.
Credit | infopowerng
