By Vivian Okejeme
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned one of its retired officers, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, over his alleged involvement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The DSS, through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Iseoluwa Oyedepo, SAN, is prosecuting Ezeakolam on a four-count charge before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The prosecution alleged that the accused rendered support and material assistance to IPOB.
According to the DSS, the alleged act constitutes an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution also accused him of joining IPOB despite knowing that it is a proscribed organisation.
According to the DSS, the alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Furthermore, Ezeakolam was accused of posting messages on social media platforms calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support IPOB, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The retired DSS officer was also charged with posting messages on social media platforms aimed at advancing the cause of IPOB.
The secret police alleged that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the DSS, Memunat Oladunjoye, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the defendant, Godfirst Maduka, applied for a date to file a bail application. Justice Umar, however, said the application could be filed at any time.
The judge subsequently fixed October 29 for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
Count One reads:
“That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime between 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly and indirectly render support by providing moral assistance and disseminating terrorist information on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, through the internet and your social media platforms, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count Two reads:
“That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime between 2025 and 2026, in Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did join the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count Three reads:
“That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime between 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly, directly and indirectly aid and abet the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by posting messages on social media platforms calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count Four reads:
“That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime between 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did post and cause to be accessed on social media platforms messages aimed at advancing the cause of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.”
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