A Federal High Court in Lokoja has ordered the rearrest of Kogi-born political activist Austin Okai, despite medical reports indicating he suffers from severe hypertension.
A family source disclosed that the judge issued the order on Thursday, ignoring a medical report submitted by Okai’s lawyer, which confirmed that his blood pressure had reached a critical level of 182.
The report argued that he was not medically fit to appear in court. However, the judge insisted on his immediate rearrest, dismissing concerns over his deteriorating health.
“This is pure political persecution,” the family source told journalists. “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 further alleged that Okai’s condition had worsened significantly, reporting severe headaches and unstable 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.
Okai was initially remanded in custody by a Magistrate Court in Lokoja, but the Federal High Court later granted him bail. His legal team had filed a bail application before the Federal High Court, which was approved, yet his rearrest has now been ordered.
In February, a Magistrate Court in Lokoja ruled in favour of the prosecution’s request to detain Okai over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation against Governor Ododo.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had sought court approval to hold Okai while investigations continued, citing Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System, which requires judicial authorisation for detaining an accused person beyond 48 hours.
Chief Magistrate Mobah Abdullahi of Magistrate Court 1, Lugard Court, Lokoja, granted the prosecution’s request and ordered Okai’s detention at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kabba. The case was adjourned until 13 March 2025.
Okai, a former candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election for the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, 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.
His supporters argue that the legal actions against him are politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent. With his health in jeopardy, calls are growing for the authorities to prioritise his medical needs over further detention.
