Court remands unruly Ibom Air passenger in Kuje correctional home

2 min read

Mr. Obiajulu Ujah, the Ibom Air passenger on trial

An unruly passenger, Obiajulu Ujah, who created a stir on an Ibom Air flight from Abuja to Lagos a couple of weeks ago, has been ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

Magistrate Abdulazeel Ismail Muhammed, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Magistrate Court ruled on Thursday in Zuba Magisterial District, Abuja.

The Magistrate in his ruling further said that Ujah will be at the correctional Centre for one month on observation and to enable medical experts to conduct a thorough examination on him to determine the actual state of his mental health.

The Magistrate pronounced thus, “Having scrutinized the medical report dated 17th day of April 2023, and signed by Dr. Olusegun Shoyombo, a consultant psychiatrist, I am of the opinion that the defendant cannot defend himself,” he said.

According to the report filed by PRNigeria, Ujah was on trial for a criminal charge in a case marked CR/08/23 and filed by the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The court reportedly invoked the requirement for urgent medical attention, when Magistrate Muhammed cited the provision of Section 278(3) & (4) ACJA, 2015, of the law which states that where the court is not satisfied that the defendant is capable of his defense, the court shall adjourn the trial and shall remand the person for a maximum duration of one month.

In cognizance with the letters of the law, the Magistrate concluded that “From all these, the need to prevent the risk of jumping treatment and having found that Kuje Correctional Facility has the requisite medical personnel, I hereby order that the defendant be remanded for medical observation for one month,” Magistrate Muhammed said.

The court however added that medical personnel shall accord the defendant the requisite medical treatment at the expense of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the magistrate pronounced.

Recall that on 31st March 2023, Obiajulu Ujah instigated a scene at the Abuja airport while on board a Lagos-bound Ibom Air flight, screaming, causing a commotion, and warning against the inauguration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, FGN.