The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday remanded a retired officer of the State Security Service (SSS), Nwaogu Ezeakolam, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over alleged support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Mr Ezeakolam was arraigned before Judge Muhammed Umar on four charges including being a member of IPOB and supporting the activities of the proscribed organisation through social media.
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He was also charged with publishing messages allegedly intended to persuade members of the public to join the group.
The SSS alleged that the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 13, 25 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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The defendant pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him on Thursday.
Following his plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Mr Ezeakolam pending trial.
Judge Umar granted the application, adjourned the case until 29 October for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
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According to the first count, the SSS alleged that Mr Ezeakolam, sometime in 2025 and 2026 in Abuja and Abia State, directly and indirectly supported IPOB by providing moral assistance and disseminating information in support of the proscribed organisation through the internet and his social media platforms.
The prosecution said the alleged offence is contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the second count, the SSS accused Mr Ezeakolam of joining IPOB, a proscribed organisation, in Abia State between 2025 and 2026, contrary to Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The third count alleged that Mr Ezeakolam knowingly aided and abetted IPOB by posting messages on social media calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support the proscribed organisation. The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the fourth count, the SSS alleged that Mr Ezeakolam posted and caused to be accessed, through his social media platforms, messages aimed at advancing the activities of IPOB.
The prosecution said the alleged act contravenes Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
READ ALSO: Military pressure forces IPOB fighters to surrender arms – Report
Background
IPOB is a separatist group seeking the secession of Nigeria’s South-east as a sovereign independent Biafra state
On 20 September 2017, the Nigerian government obtained an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organisation. Acting Chief Judge Abdu Kafarati granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The proscription and destination of of IPOB as a terrorist organisation, gazetted by the then President Muhmamadu Buhari, automatically made membership of the group a criminal act from then on.
In November last year the federal government secured the conviction of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu before the same Federal High Court in Abuja. Judge James Omotosho found Mr Kanu guilty on seven terrorism-related counts, including being a member of the group and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
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