Trial Of Ibom Air Passenger Protesting Tinubu’s Inauguration Delayed Once More As Defendant And Lawyers Fail To Appear
The trial of Obiajulu Uja at the Zuba Magistrate Court in Abuja was stalled again on Thursday due to the absence of the defendant, prosecutors and lawyers.
Uja, an alleged mentally unstable supporter of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, is facing charges for disrupting an Abuja-Lagos flight in April by declaring Tinubu must not be sworn in as president.
A court source said the trial could not proceed and was adjourned to September 26th for a report on Uja’s health condition. The court previously referred Uja to a medical facility at Kuje prison for two months after finding him unfit to stand trial.
In June, the court ordered Uja to remain in Kuje’s custody pending conclusion of his treatment. But six weeks later, the case has seen no progress.
Viral footage showed Uja being carried out of the aircraft while shouting “Obidients, I am naked” as he resisted. He was initially charged in May but magistrates have focused on determining his mental fitness.
With Uja, prosecutors and defense lawyers all failing to appear, the high-profile trial has been hampered by logistical issues. The court awaits proof of Uja’s improved health to resume proceedings.
Critics say the stalled trial highlights inefficiencies in the legal system’s handling of persons with alleged mental conditions. Uja’s outbursts occurred prior to the 2023 elections when Obi’s supporters were dubbed ‘Obidients’.
