An inmate at the Medium Custodial Centre in Okene, Mustapha Shaibu has gone insane in custody, as the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi has ordered the immediate investigation of his mental state.
Justice Majebi who gave the order while reviewing the cases of the 27 inmates at the centre on Tuesday, said necessary action must be taken immediately.
Shaibu who is alleged to have killed his father, mother and a nurse who was taking care of him was subsequently arrested and charged with murder before Obangede magistrate court.
The Officer in Charge of Medium Custodial Centre, Okene, Assistant Controller of Corrections, O.E Audu had earlier called the attention of the Chief Judge to Shuaibu’s situation and appealed that the judiciary looks into the cases of inmates with mental health challenges.
“There is this particular inmate (Mustapha Shaibu), case No, CMOB/11c/2021 standing trial before the Magistrate Court, Obanegede, for a charge bordering on Culpable Homicide.
“The inmate has mental health challenges and his condition is deteriorating day by day. Recently, he has resorted to violence. Sometimes he behaves irrationally even in the dock. My Lordship, we don’t have the necessary facilities to manage his condition in this place. This is for your information and further necessary action my Lord,” Audu had said.
While corroborating the strange behaviour of Mustapha Shaibu, Senior Magistrate, Aisha Audu told the Chief Judge that the suspect intimidates everyone in court during sittings and also threatened to deal with the judge who put him in prison.
“My Lord, the suspect is a threat to my life, a threat to the court and a great threat to the society at large”, the Magistrate said.
The Chief Judge told the State Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Badama Kadiri to write for approval to the office of the CJ to carry out tests to ascertain the true health status of the inmate, Shuaibu.
He said this has become imperative to know where to send the inmate before his condition deteriorates, saying since he already murdered those who could take care of him, no family member would be ready to take him back.
