Keyamo alleges plot to kill Charles Okah in Kuje Prisons

Lagos Lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has accused Nigeria Prisons authorities of plotting to kill Charles Okah.

In a letter addressed to the Comptroller-General, Keyamo stated that “on 7th January, 2014, the Kuje Prisons Clinic issued a drug prescription for the treatment of the High Blood Pressure and Hypertensive ailment of our client.

“On 9th January, 2014 when the wife, Mrs. Okah, visited our client in Prisons, she was informed that the said drugs have not been bought due to lack of finance, and as such she was requested to purchase them for our client.

“Consequently, our client’s wife immediately purchased the said drugs and handed same over to the Prisons Officer in Charge, DCP. Felix Lawrence, who seized them and refused to administer same to our client, thereby denying him medication till date, despite his critical health condition.”

According to him, the reluctance of prison officials to allow his client take his medication, suggest beyond doubt that there is a plot to kill him in Kuje Prisons.

Copies of the letter which was also sent to the Interior Minister, Prosecution counsel and Registrar of the Federal High Court, is reproduced below:

23rd January, 2014

The Comptroller-General of Prisons,
Nigerian Prisons Services,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,
PLOT TO KILL MR. CHARLES OKAH BY DENIAL OF MEDICATION IN KUJE PRISONS, ABUJA

The above subject matters refers.

We are solicitors to Mr. Charles Okah, (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”), and on whose firm instruction we write.

It is our brief that on 7th January, 2014 the Kuje Prisons Clinic issued a drug prescription for the treatment of the High Blood Pressure and Hypertensive ailment of our client, specifically Amlodipine 10mg. Find attached a copy of the prescription.

On 9th January, 2014 when the wife, Mrs. Okah, visited our. client in Prisons, she was informed that the said drugs have not been bought due to lack of finance, and as such she was requested to purchase them for our client.

Consequently, our client’s wife immediately purchased the said drugs and handed same over to the Prisons Officer in Charge, DCP. Felix Lawrence, who seized them and refused to administer same to our client, thereby denying him medication till date, despite his critical health condition. The said DCP, Felix Lawrence further said that his action is based on the Press Release by the Family of our client on 13th January, 2014 (where they raised alarm about his health condition), and that no one can do anything about it.

Sir, the conduct of DCP. Felix Lawrence is very worrisome, in addition to several other inhuman treatments meted to our client in Kuje Prisons. Several events which are calculated attempts to sniff out his life have repeatedly occurred, which include intentional denial of medication, refusal to administer the correct and appropriate drugs when prescribed by the Prisons Clinic, the initial refusal to fumigate the cell and the subsequent fumigation while our client was inside, the discovery of a scorpion in the cell and various other life-threatening events.

The foregoing suggest beyond doubt that there is a plot to kill our client in Kuje Prisons. This is more so because our client, who has only one kidney is hypertensive and also suffers High Blood Pressure regularly. It is noteworthy that it was circumstances of this nature that led to the death of Tiemkemfa Osovwo (alias General Gbokos) sometime in 2012. It is likely that similar fate may befall our client if urgent action is not taken about our complaint.

We hereby urge you to use your good offices to compel DCP. Felix Lawrence to release and administer the said drugs to Mr. Charles Okah in custody of the Kuje Prisons within 24 hours from the time of your receipt of this letter.

TAKE NOTICE that in the event that our demand herein is not complied with, we shall take further steps to enforce the Fundamental Human Rights of Client, including, but not limited to, an action in Court.

Please be advised.

Yours faithfully,
For: Festus Keyamo Chambers

JOHN AINETOR, ESQ. BENEDICTA N. OBANYE (MISS) Counsel Practice Manager

CC:
1. Hon. Minister of Interior,
Block F, Old Federal Secretariat,
Abuja.

2. The Prosecution Counsel,
Dr. Alex Izinyon, (SAN),
No.1, Kinshasha Street,
Wuse Zone 6,
Abuja.

3. The Registrar,
Court 5,
Federal High Court,
Abuja.