Clifford Orji’s medical condition worsens in prison

The Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Clifford Orji health has deteriorated.

The Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Mr. Noel Ailewon, said Orji was in a bad state and had gone completely mad.

“Orji’s health is getting worse. He has gone completely mad, vomiting and even defecating without restraint and is naked most of the time,” he said.

Ailewon said this on Thursday during a visit to the prison by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, and representatives of the Office of the Public Defender.

The visit was to evaluate the number of Awaiting Trial Persons and secure the release of persons wrongfully put in the prison.

The Director of OPD, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, noted that following a court order, Orji was taken to two Psychiatric hospitals for treatment but was rejected.

“Initially, we took Orji to Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, but was rejected because they claimed they did not have long-term medical facilities. Subsequently, he was taken to another hospital in Ewekoro but was similarly rejected,” she said.

Ipaye explained that Orji’s case was pathetic because his case had been stalled due to the impediments and said unless Orji received proper medical attention, he could not stand trial.

“Orji is mentally disturbed and no hospital is accepting him. Unfortunately, one cannot be tried if one is mentally unstable. So, he’s stuck in the middle. All we can do now is find help for him,” he said.

Orji, now 46, was arrested in February 1999 by the police, under the bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway. He was subsequently charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, on February 19 but has yet to be tried.