Court remands four suspected IPOB members over alleged killing of DSS operative
The Department of State Services, DSS, on Monday arraigned four suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of its officer, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh. The accused persons were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and the kidnapping of a DSS personnel, before […] Court remands four suspected IPOB…
On Monday, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally charged four suspected members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a DSS officer, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh. The defendants, Michael Okafor (Onyechimeleze), Chinedu Joseph Chukwudozie (Kante), Chibunna Olisa, and Chigozie Olisa (Ability), appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count indictment encompassing terrorism charges and the kidnapping of a DSS personnel.
Prosecutors alleged that the four conspired to commit acts of terrorism and abducted Owoh while he was traveling from Port Harcourt to Awka. They are further accused of holding the operative hostage and causing his death during the alleged criminal operation. The defendants were also accused of belonging to the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and of engaging in activities linked to terrorism.
They are additionally accused of unlawful possession of firearms, including AK-47 and pump-action rifles, in connection with the alleged offenses. Upon reading the charges to the defendants on Monday, they all pleaded not guilty. Their DSS lawyer, Munirat Oladunjoye, requested a trial date and stated that she would present three witnesses during the trial.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the trial for October 6 and ordered that the four suspects be held in custody until then.
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