A Nigerian court has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to rearrest Kogi-born political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Austin Okai, despite medical reports indicating that he suffers from severe hypertension, with a blood pressure reading of 182.
A family source told SaharaReporters that the judge issued the order despite a medical report submitted by Okai’s lawyer, which stated that he was not in a suitable condition to appear in court.
The judge reportedly insisted on his rearrest, disregarding concerns about his deteriorating health.
“This is pure political persecution. After being incarcerated for 21 days, he was granted bail. Why can’t they give him one or two weeks to receive treatment and recover? All they want is to send him back to prison,” the source said.
The source further alleged that Okai’s health has worsened significantly, with severe headaches and rising blood pressure.
“If anything happens to him, the Kogi State government should be held responsible. If he disappears, Nigerians should hold Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo accountable. If he dies, the state government must answer for it. And if he is arrested again, it is clear who is behind it,” the source said.
The magistrate court had remanded Okai in custody, while the Federal High Court granted him bail.
However, the family source questioned the urgency behind his rearrest.
“Why the rush? If the judge wanted to be fair, he could have adjourned the case and allowed him to seek medical treatment,” the source said.
According to the source, Okai cannot receive a fair trial in Kogi State under the current administration led by Ododo.
“His safety and that of his family are at stake. He has three children and a wife. If anything happens to them, the world should know it is the handiwork of Governor Ododo,” the source said.
The allegations against Okai include cyberstalking.
However, the source revealed that the charges had now been extended to defamation against the governor.
“Would the governor come to court over this? The entire case is politically motivated,” the source said.
The source also detailed Okai’s worsening medical condition.
“A person with a blood pressure of 182 was ordered to appear in court, despite his lawyer’s report stating that his health is deteriorating and that he requires urgent medical attention. On Wednesday, his blood pressure rose to 191 due to trauma and emotional torture from 21 days of unjust incarceration,” the source added.
“After he formally requested two weeks to receive medical treatment, the judge still ordered him rearrested at the request of the DSS.”
On March 18, SaharaReporters reported that the Kogi State Government had filed fresh charges against Okai at the State High Court in Lokoja.
SaharaReporters exclusively gathered that Okai was served with the charges in prison.
The state prosecution brought a 16-count charge against Okai, contradicting the initial allegations that led to his remand by the magistrate court.
Meanwhile, Okai’s legal team had filed a bail application before the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which was later granted.
In February, a Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, ruled in favour of the prosecution’s request to remand Mr. Okai over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The DSS had sought the court’s approval to detain Okai while they completed their investigation into the allegations. The request was based on Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System, which requires court approval to detain an accused person for more than 48 hours.
Delivering the ruling, Magistrate Mobah Abdullahi of Chief Magistrate Court 1, Lugard Court, Lokoja, granted the prosecution’s application and ordered Okai’s remand at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kabba. The case was adjourned to March 13, 2025.
Okai, a former PDP candidate for the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election, is facing trial over a social media post in which he accused Governor Ododo of misappropriating billions of naira meant for local government councils and state agencies.