The alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 Independence Day bombing, Charles Okah, standing trial for alleged terrorism, on Thursday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that he was physically and mentally ready to face his trial.

Okah told the court that the improved condition of the Kuje Prisons in Abuja, his health challenges that interrupted his trial at a time, is over.

“Our condition at Kuje Prisons has improved through the intervention of the International Red Cross Society and the Bristish Council. I am now medically, psychologically and physically ready for the trial,” he said.

Okah also informed the court that he had suffered gross violation of his fundamental human rights since four years ago when the case was instituted, expressing confidence in the trial judge’s ability to dispense justice in the matter.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN) told the court that the matter was adjourned in order to enable the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to put a legal representation for Okah, following the withdrawal of Mr Festus Keyamo who had been representing Okah since the suit was instituted.

While the counsel from the Legal Aid Council, Mr S. A. Ahulah told the court that the council needed to procure the record of proceedings and other necessary court processes to enable them to prepare for the trial, he also told the court that he was only standing for the council as the case file was yet to be assigned to a lawyer, and therefore sought for a short date to enable them to go through the file.

Izinyon did not oppose the defendant’s application for a short adjournment.

It will be recalled that the court had ordered the Federal Government to provide a defence lawyer for Okah, who is facing terrorism charges before the court.

Charles, a brother to a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, is being tried alongside Obi Nwabueze for the October 1, 2010 multiple bomb blasts near the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Henry had been tried and is serving jail terms in South Africa for the attack in which about 12 persons were said to have died.

Charles and his co-accused, Obi Nwabueze, have been without a lawyer since they disengaged the services of a Festus Keyamo, in October 2014.