The Police in Cross River on Wednesday arraigned one of Ayade’s ex-aide, Dr Oscar Ofuka and three others before a Calabar Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged Murder.
Chief Magistrate Okoho, after reviewing the background of both the applicant and the respondents, ordered that Dr. Oscar Ofuka (1st respondent) should receive medical care in the Police Clinic until the next adjourned date of 16th August, 2024. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents were to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Center Calabar.
“The court does not have the jurisdictions to hear, determine or even grant bail in a murder case. In the interest of justice, having listened to the argument of the respondent’s counsel. I quit agree with his position that one has to be alive to stand trial.
“I have observed that the 1st respondent is kept on the floor lying almost motionless without a sound and this observation calls for caution. Though there’s nothing before the court to show for the health of the 1st respondent but to satisfy humanity and a good conscience, even though we know that there could be a dramatic scene in the court sometimes. I am reminded to consider the application on both sides accordingly, applying my discretion, she said.
Responding to the court ruling, Chief Mba Ukweni, (SAN), a Calabar-based human rights lawyer disclosed that there are many litigations in respect of this case in different courts numbering over thirty including forgery of the agreement that was prepared in the office of the Attorney General of the state.
He detailed how he submitted an application to the Assistant Inspector General of Police to request bail for Ofuka when he was unconscious, in order for him to seek medical treatment until the government is prepared to prosecute him, emphasizing that the goal is not to bring him to court, but rather to put him in a situation where he would die, enabling them to deceive the governor and acquire government land.
“We are here because we are worried. We’ve told them that Ofuka is not afraid of standing trial but if he is not well because they have tortured him to the level you people have seen, he needs to be in a place where he can receive treatment to enable him be well and stand the trial.
“If the government is serious about charging him to court, by now there should be a charge against him in the appropriate court. They now want to use this brutal method. These young men you see them charging are innocent people. The government knows the persons that killed that man in that estate. They know the truth, they’re just pursuing innocent people.
“I don’t know why the governor cannot heed to the candid advice from the Solicitor General and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice who are aware and was involved in the transaction. They now want to hang a murder charge on Ofuka to put him completely away and then have their way in the estate.
“The governor does not know that these people are not working in his interest and the interest of the state, they’re working in their interest, he reacted.
