The alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja, Charles Okah,on Tuesday attempted to jump from the third floor of the Federal High Court complex in Abuja during the continuation of his trial.
He was, however, stopped by security operatives.
Okah, caused a row, by attempting to commit suicide during Tuesday’s proceedings in his trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja after ending an emotion-filled comment about his protracted trial during the court session.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspected terrorist grabbed a nearby chair with which he made repeated but futile attempts to break a window in order to create an opening through which he could jump down from the courtroom located on the third floor of the five-storey building.
His frustration on Tuesday was ignited by his lawyer’s absence in court.
Defence lawyers – Mr. Samuel Zibiri and O.O. Otemu – were provided by the Federal Government-owned Legal Aid Council, after Okah in October last year, dispensed with the services of a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, whose law firm had defended him. Okah is standing trial along with Obi Nwabueze for terrorism charges arising from the October 1, 2010 bombing incident, sought the permission of the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, to speak after it was discovered that his lawyer was not in court.
After the judge granted him permission to speak from the dock, Okah in visible anger expressed frustration about his long incarceration and the attendant deprivation of the opportunity to cater for his family.
Okah said, “I have been incarcerated for about five years now, and I have a family to cater for.
“My children would grow up without feeling the warmth of their father. I’m tired of this endless trial.”
It took the intervention of lawyers and some other persons who were in the courtroom for their respective cases to stop his attempt to commit suicide after his emotion-laden speech.
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