Murder: Court warns defence against delay in trial of 4 IPOB members

The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned defence counsel against delay in the trial of four suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) charged with kidnapping and killing of an officer of the State Security Service (SSS).

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the warning after two lawyers, Kelvin Ekwe and Geoffrey Uwadiegwu, who appeared for the defendants, made an application for adjournment.

The defendants are Michael Okafor, alias Onyechimeleze; Chinedu Chukwudozie, alias Kante; Chibunna Olisa and Chigozie Olisa, alias Ability.

They were arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik on 28 September on a six-count charge of terrorism and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism and were involved in the abduction of Ekpenyong Owoh, while he was travelling from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Awka.

They were further accused of taking the operative hostage and killing him.

The suspects were also accused of belonging to the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, as well as involvement in activities allegedly linked to terrorism.

In addition, the prosecution alleged that the suspects were involved in the unlawful possession of firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, and pump-action gun, in connection with the alleged offences.

The charges followed investigations into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and killing of the officer and the alleged activities of the defendants.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When the case was called on Wednesday, Munirat Oladunjoye, who represented the prosecution, informed the court that the matter was fixed for trial following the defendants’ denial of the allegations.

She told the court that the prosecution applied to shield the identity of their witnesses pursuant to Section 232(3)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Ms Oladunjoye, therefore, prayed the court for an order granting the permission to mask their witnesses, and conceal their names.