News
‘Complex Medical Status’ Stalls Ojukaye’s Murder Trial
The trial of the former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Mr. Ojukayi Flag-Amachree suffered another setback Wednesday, due to what his counsel described as ‘complex medical status’ of the accused.
Ojukaye Flag-Amachree had through his Counsel, Mr. Sabastine T. Hons, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) submitted a letter from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital informing the court that his client (the accused) was at the moment of the court session was undergoing an appendicitis operation at the referral hospital and as such could not be in the court to take his plea.
The defence Counsel had earlier told an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt the same day that his client was suffering from diabetes and was in dire need of his international passport to travel Oversea for medical attention.
Thoug, Ojukaye is facing a second phase trial of an alleged murder and attempted murder case before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the State High Court in Port Harcourt, the embattled ASALGA former Chairman way bid to appear before the court to take his plea on the two-court charge brought against him on the orders of the court at the last adjourned date.
But at the resumption of the trial Wednesday, Counsel to the accused, in an oral application told the court that his client was suffering from complicated appendicitis illness and had been admitted at the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital for a Surgical Operations.
He said that his client was ready to appear before the court to take his plea but has been incapacitated. He therefore urged the court to grant them an adjournment.
In his own submission, Counsel to the state government, Mr. Godwin Obla said they were not opposing the medical report on the grounds that an accused person must be alive before he can face his trial.
He noted that they have agreed to come back to the court on 23rd of this month to report back on the health status of the accused, adding that if his health improves the accused would then take his plea on that day.
Ruling on the matter, the trial Judge Justice Chinwendu Nwogu while adjourning the matter on the request of both Counsels, urged them to show commitment on the matter.
He said the court would know the next step it would take after the adjourned date of the health status of the accused did not improve before the date.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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