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 the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

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

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

They were further accused of taking the operative hostage and causing his death in the course of the alleged criminal operation.

The defendants were also accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, as well as involvement in activities allegedly connected to terrorism.

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

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

However, when the charges were read to them on Monday, the suspects pleaded not guilty, prompting the DSS lawyer, Munirat Oladunjoye, to ask for date to commence their trial.

The lawyer told the court that she has three witnesses that will give evidence during trial.

While granting October 6 as the trial date, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the four accused persons be remanded in the custody of the DSS.

At Monday’s arraignment, Mr Kelvin Ekwe stood as lawyer for the defendants.