A Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as Muomiri Afuluanya, has been remanded at the Amawbia Correctional Centre by the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka, pending further proceedings in his trial.
Justice Jude Obiora ordered the remand on June 3 after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution during the court session. Ezenagu was brought to court from the hospital and had, through his counsel, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds, asking the court to allow him remain in the hospital until the next adjourned date.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the application and urged the court to remand the defendant while the bail motion was still being considered. In his ruling, Justice Obiora held that a hospital is not a constitutionally recognised facility for the detention of an accused person and ordered that Ezenagu be remanded in a correctional centre. The judge stated, “A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant.”
The case was adjourned to June 19 for continuation of proceedings. The matter first came before the court on April 23 but could not proceed to arraignment after Ezenagu was found to be medically unfit to take his plea. At that earlier sitting, he appeared visibly weak and was assisted into the courtroom by security operatives, raising concerns about his ability to stand trial. The court had then directed that he receive medical attention before further proceedings.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the Anambra State Government security outfit, Agunechemba, over alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law. Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly searched his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations.
