By ABUBAKAR Ojima-Ojo, Abuja
A retired officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges, including allegedly supporting the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice Muhammed Umar, on Thursday, ordered Ezeakolam’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge filed by the DSS.
The court adjourned the case until Oct. 29 for the commencement of trial.
According to the prosecution, Ezeakolam is accused of providing moral support to IPOB through social media posts, joining the proscribed group, and publishing messages allegedly designed to encourage members of the public to support the organization.
The DSS told the court that the alleged offences contravene Sections 13, 25 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
After the charges were read, Ezeakolam pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
The prosecution then asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in custody pending the hearing.
Justice Umar granted the request, ordering that Ezeakolam be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the trial begins.
In the first count, prosecutors alleged that the retired DSS officer “directly and indirectly rendered support by providing moral assistance and disseminating terrorist information” for IPOB through the internet and social media.
The second count accuses him of joining the proscribed organization between 2025 and 2026 in Abia State.
In the third count, the prosecution alleged that he “knowingly directly and indirectly aid[ed] and abet[ted]” IPOB by posting messages intended to persuade members of the public to support the group.
The fourth count alleges that he published messages on social media aimed at advancing the cause of IPOB, an offence the prosecution said is punishable under the Cybercrimes Act.
The defendant is expected to remain in custody pending the commencement of trial on Oct. 29.
