Bail: 49 suspected IPOB members learn fate March 19

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday fixed March 19 for hearing and ruling on the bail applications filed by 49 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Although, 50 IPOB members were brought before the court by the Inspector General of Police, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, heard the bail application of Ozoemena Somadine (43rd defendant) and reserved ruling on it.

The police had said the defendants were intercepted on December 12, 2023, at Umunze Village, Uga Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, while acting on a tipoff.

According to the police, the defendants were intercepted inside a 911 truck with Reg No. XA-139 BDN, while holding a meeting “In connection with an act of terrorism”.

The police said a total of 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange caps with IPOB designs alongside charms were recovered from them.

In the three charges preferred against them, the police accused the defendants of belonging to IPOB for the “purpose of habitually committing terrorism”.

They were also said to have admitted to being members of a “terrorist group” popularly known as the Indigenous People of Biafra and also admitted the caps with the emblem of IPOB and charms belonged to them.

The police said they committed an offence contrary, to and punishable under Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022.

In count three, the police said the defendants all admitted to possessing the power of bullet proof and disappearance through their charms which is contrary to Section 26, and punishable under Section 11 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants are Nwancho Chukwuma; Ekene Orilinya; Nnamdi Chineke; Una Daniel; Egurube Chibuike; Cyril Ndukwe; Ikechukwu George; Emmanuel Mbano; Emeka Osuji; Chinanso Orazulike; Joseph Chukwu; Okwutu Oluchukwu; Chikodi Nnoli; Onyeka Odoh; Eberenna Ejikeme and Ngozi Onwukwe.

Others are Iwenofu Onwukwe; Patrick Chima; Paul Nwamma; Friday Uwanaiji; Okeke Chibueze; Agbom Uche; Alex onwu; Abuchi Ibe; Onwe Maduabuchi; Ndukwe Chukwuma; Ifeanyi Alor; Igwe Emmanuel; Onwe Samuel; Chidozie Edekoabi; Azuka Ikpezuma; Chukwuebuka Okoro; Anazodo Chinanso; Chibulke Igwe; Okonkwo Basil; John Okafor; Obinna Nwafor, and Nneka Chidebere.

Among the defendants are Zimozor Ukpa; Chukwu Chidindu; Uche Vincent; Ogbodo Sunday; Ozoemena somadine; Agbo Cynthia; Peter Ogoh; Chibueze Uwakwe; Tony Nwafor; Ebere Anazodo; Ikejiaku Nwabueze and Nwachor Izuchukwu.

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the prosecution witness, a police officer, ASP Stephen Hyelni, told the court that he took over the case after the matter was transferred to the Force Headquarters.

He said, “The case in question was transferred from Anambra command to the Force Headquarters. I was detailed to take over the suspects. Immediately I took over, the suspects I was handed a black bag containing charm and other ingredients. Another bag containing 52 black caps and another one containing 25 red caps.”

The counsel for the police, Malik Taiwo, sought to tender the three bags in evidence.

There was, however, no opposition from the defendants’ counsel.

It was, however, admitted as Exhibit A to C.

After opening Exhibit A (the bag containing charms) the witness was asked to list the items therein but could not.

Justice Omotosho said, “You must give us the list of items contained in Exh A. I will mark the contents in the exhibit.”

Taiwo, however, ought an adjournment to put their house in order.

Justice Omotosho, however, sought the understanding of the counsel to take the bail applications of the defendants at once as some were yet to file theirs.

But the counsel for the 43rd defendant, C. I Nwosu insisted that her client’s application be taken because of his ill health.

She noted that in addition to the application, she filed an affidavit of urgency.

Nwosu argued that the health of the defendant was at stake and he had been detained for a long.

Taiwo did not object to the application.

Justice Omotosho asked if the suit number cited in her bail application was the right one and if there were medical reports attached to her fillings.

She responded no.

The judge, however, reserved ruling on her application and adjourned till March 19 to hear pending bail applications and deliver a ruling on them.