A court in Nigeria has granted Henry Okah, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), three weeks to undergo full treatment for a kidney-related ailment, which has delayed his treason trial, the local press reported on Saturday.
Justice Stephen Ada of the Federal High Court in the central city of Jos adjourned the case till 21 November, to enable doctors to further examine and treat Okah.
He, however, ruled that the examination and the treatment should be carried out in Nigeria.
A report tendered in court by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Salihu Aliyu, on Friday said that Okah, after undergoing medical examination at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, was found fit to stand trial.
But Okah’s lawyer, Femi Falana, objected, saying the report actually suggested that the accused should undergo further examination and treatment.
He said until his client was fully diagnosed and treated, he could not be arraigned.
Okah, who was arrested in Angola last year and later extradited to Nigeria, faces a 62-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, gun running, terrorism and illegal importation of arms, among others.
MEND has protested against the secret trial of its leader, and has said his release could lead to a ceasefire in its armed campaign for a better deal for the restive oil region. Panapress.
