When asked what language he would like to speak in court, Oko did not pay attention, he instead, was behaving as if he was in another world.
But the presiding Justice entered “a not guilty” plea for him until proven guilty.
The defence counsel had earlier told the court when his client refused to take a plea, he (Oko) must have had a “powerful spiritual visitation” that made him not talk.
Oko behaved strangely and turned his back at the presiding Justice and the court clerk, who was trying to read the charges. He turned his back at the court refusing to utter a single word, just as he did when the Commissioner of Police paraded him at the Police Headquarters on January 12, 2022, after his arrest in Benue.
The suspect had taken to his heels after allegedly committing the offence.
The prosecution counsel, Muleng Alex, told the court that the defendant was only pretending to be insane, adding that the medical report showed that he was “sound and nothing was wrong with him.”
Alex asserted that all the suspect was doing in court was a deliberate attempt to pervert justice, declaring that he (defendant) gave his lawyer his mother’s phone number to call him, which was perfectly all right.
At that juncture, the defence counsel cut in, arguing that his client had been suffering from fluctuating mental disorder.
“Considering the magnitude of the allegation against my client, I think it is right to enter a plea of not guilty for him,” he said.
Continuing, the prosecution counsel submitted that the issue of insanity as canvassed by her learned friend was faulty, as it was not documented.
“The defendant is sane. He walked perfectly to the court hall. The defendant is sane as can be testified by the medical report carried out by qualified medical personnel, which is attached.
“In the light of the above, the conduct of the defendant does not fall under Section 280 of the Plateau State Administration of Criminal Justice,” she said, adding that she had 10 witnesses that could testify against him.
Reviewing the submissions of the two counsel, the judge adjourned the matter till March 3 and 4, 2022 for accelerated hearing.
