Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has
told a magistrate court sitting in Wuse zone 2, Abuja, that he does not want to
remain at the Kuje correctional centre where he was remanded.
Sowore, Peter Williams, Sanyaolu Juwon, Emmanuel Bulus and Damilare
Adenola were arrested on New Year’s eve during a procession organised and led
by Sowore.
The police had arraigned the five persons on Monday on a
three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and incitement,
and Mabel Segun-Bello, the magistrate, had ordered that they be remanded at the
Kuje correctional centre.
However, at the court sitting on Tuesday, the activist said
he was denied food, water, and medical attention.
“I wish to report back to the court that contrary to the
order of court that we should be given medical attention and welfare, nothing
has been done,” he said.
“No medical care, food, water, change of clothes and
beddings. I have not even been given food. This is a plot to detain us further
and inflict maximum injury.
“We were left outside for over two hours yesterday. They
refused to accept us because of COVID-19 protocol. It was the CP who called the
comptroller general and forced them to detain us.
“I don’t want to go back to Kuje. I was brought from a
facility and I don’t mind going back there because my doctor can reach me
there.”
Responding to why the order of the court was not complied
with, Sanda, an officer of the correctional centre who escorted the defendants,
said: “The time they came in yesterday was very late. Dr Ajayi had closed and
they actually were kept in a solitary place because of COVID-19.”
Mabel Segun-Bello, the chief magistrate, asked the
defendants if they would prefer to return to the police station where they were
initially detained, Kuje correctional centre, or the Force Criminal
Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID).
Sowore, who spoke on behalf of all the defendants, said they
would prefer the FCIID.
Making a formal application, Marshal Abubakar, counsel to
the defendants, affirmed the decision of his clients.
“Our application is that in view of the defendants’
concerns, we would be asking that the defendants be remanded at a facility that
can offer access to doctor, lawyers, food, change of clothes and water within
the Abuja metropolis. Preferably, FCIID area 10,” he said.
However, Adama Musa, prosecution counsel, objected to moving
the defendants to FCIID.
“We vehemently oppose the remand of the defendants in the
custody of the police on the ground that the defendant has previously made
allegations of torture against the police,” Adama said.
“The right place for them to be is the correctional centre.”
After placing a call directly to the commissioner of FCIID
in open court to inquire if there is space to accommodate the defendants, the
chief magistrate ordered that they be remanded at the FCIID, Area 10, Abuja
pending the determination of their bail application.
She also ordered that the accused persons be given access to
medical care, sufficient food, good water and fresh air.
The chief magistrate also directed that Damilare Adenola,
the third defendant, should be given access to internet facility under strict supervision
to enable him continue his online school programme.
Although the court had fixed Tuesday to hear and rule on the
bail application, due to copious submissions canvassed by both the counsel to
the prosecution and the defendant, the chief magistrate was unable to reach a
decision.
Ruling on the bail application will be delivered on January
8.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com