An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has ordered the remand of a popular Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, widely known as Muomiri Afuluanya, at the Amawbia Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his case.
The order was issued by Justice Jude Obiora during proceedings held on June 3 after considering submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
Ezenagu, who was brought to court from a medical facility, had through his lawyer, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds and requested permission to remain under medical care until the next adjourned date.
However, the prosecution counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the request and urged the court to remand the defendant in lawful custody while the bail application is being considered.
In his ruling, Justice Obiora held that a hospital could not serve as a detention facility for an accused person facing trial.
“A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant,” the judge ruled before ordering Ezenagu’s transfer to the Amawbia Correctional Centre.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until June 19 for further proceedings.
The case was initially scheduled for hearing on April 23, but the defendant was unable to take his plea due to his health condition.
At the time, Ezenagu appeared visibly weak and was assisted into the courtroom by security personnel, prompting concerns over his fitness to stand trial.
Justice Obiora had ruled during the earlier sitting that the defendant was medically unfit to enter a plea and directed that he receive appropriate medical attention before the case could proceed.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of Agunechemba, the Anambra State Government’s security outfit, over allegations bordering on violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly searched his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations into the allegations against him.
