Kogi Court Orders Rearrest of PDP Chieftain Austin Okai Despite Health Emergency

A Nigerian court has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to rearrest political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Austin Okai, despite medical reports indicating he suffers from severe hypertension, with a blood pressure reading of 182.

A family source disclosed that the judge issued the order even after Okai’s lawyer presented a medical report stating he was unfit to appear in court. The judge reportedly dismissed the health concerns and insisted on his rearrest.

“This is pure political persecution. After being incarcerated for 21 days, he was granted bail. Why can’t they allow him time to receive treatment and recover? All they want is to send him back to prison,” the source said.

The source also alleged that Okai’s health has deteriorated significantly, with worsening headaches and increasing 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 added.

The magistrate court had previously ordered Okai’s remand, while the Federal High Court later granted him bail. However, his family questioned the urgency of the 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.

The allegations against Okai initially included cyberstalking, but the charges were reportedly extended to defamation against Governor Ododo.

“Would the governor personally come to court over this? The entire case is politically motivated,” the source claimed.

The source further revealed that Okai’s health had worsened significantly, stating, “His blood pressure rose to 191 due to trauma and emotional distress from 21 days of unjust incarceration. Even after he formally requested two weeks for medical treatment, the judge still ordered his rearrest at the request of the DSS.”

On March 18, it was reported that the Kogi State Government had filed fresh charges against Okai at the State High Court in Lokoja. Sources revealed that he was served with a 16-count charge while in prison, contradicting the initial allegations that led to his remand.

In February, a Magistrate Court in Lokoja ruled in favor of the prosecution’s request to detain Okai over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation against Governor Ododo. The DSS had sought court approval to hold Okai while they completed their investigation, citing 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 request 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.