Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, a retired officer with the Department of State Services, was arraigned on August 6 before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar presided over the case, which centers on allegations that the former officer supported the banned group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Rotimi Iseoluwa Oyedepo, the Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, filed four charges against the defendant. The accusations include providing material and moral assistance to IPOB and becoming a member of the proscribed entity, both of which are violations of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022. Additionally, Ezeakolam faces charges for using social media to distribute content designed to persuade the public to support the group and to further its objectives, an act categorized as a violation of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.
During the proceedings, Ezeakolam entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. While the prosecution, represented by Memunat Oladunjoye, requested a timeline for the trial, the defense attorney, Godfirst Maduka, indicated plans to submit a bail application. Justice Umar scheduled the trial to commence on October 29 and ordered that the defendant remain in Kuje prison until his bail motion is heard.
