By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced a self-confessed member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Paul Okechukwu, 48, to 20 years in prison for belonging to a proscribed organisation.
The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of a two-count charge the Federal Government preferred against him.
The Federal Government alleged in the first count that the defendant, who is from Nnewi South in Anambra State, had in 2021, while in Imo State, committed an offence by belonging to IPOB, a proscribed organisation, contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
In the second count, the Federal Government alleged that the defendant participated in an attack in which two security operatives were killed, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
After the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the second count.
In view of this development, and following an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was in court to lead the prosecution, the court struck out the second count after it was withdrawn.
Relying on Section 72 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA) 2022, the Attorney-General applied for the court to allow a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) to review some facts of the case.
The witness, whose name was given as “ABC” for the purpose of the trial, identified the defendant as a member of IPOB, which he said had since been outlawed.
He told the court that the defendant was involved in acts of terrorism, which he said included attacks on security agents.
The witness, who said he was part of a team that investigated the defendant, tendered a copy of the report, which was admitted as Exhibit A.
While applying for the defendant to be convicted, the AGF argued that the law prescribed a minimum sentence of 20 years for the offence.
“We therefore urge my lord to impose the maximum sentence, at least to serve as a deterrent to others and to also show that the nation cannot condone any act of terrorism,” the AGF added.
Meanwhile, immediately after the AGF made the application, the defendant broke down in tears in the dock, begging the court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering judgment in the matter, Justice Hawa Yilwa found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 20 years.
The court said it took note of the charge against the defendant and “the ripple effect it has on the nation.”
It held that the defendant should be remanded in any correctional facility chosen by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his sentence, which should count from the day he was arrested.
The court held that the convict should be rehabilitated and redecalised upon the completion of his prison sentence.
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