Police arraign 20 pro Biafra supporters for treason
Court remands them in prison, adjourns to Oct 27
PORT HARCOURT—Police have charged
20 pro Biafra supporters who were part of the protest by the Indigenous
People of Biafra, IPOB, Monday, in Port Harcourt, among other things,
for treasonable felony at a Magistrate’s court in Port Harcourt.
Chief Magistrate Andrew Jaja remanded the suspects in prison custody
and adjourned the matter to Tuesday October 27 for their counsels to
argue issues bordering on their bail application.
Those arraigned in court were : Benson Sunday (21), Emmanuel Ali
(25), Ukeme Monday (32), Chibuzo Ezechina (33), Charles Eze (29), Egbo
Okechukwu (24), Chibona Ifion (47), John Douglas (20), Ezenwa Alphonus
(51), Wori Endurance (30), Chinomere Nwolu (25), Henry Eze (36),Friday
Uzunwa (22), Igodo Abio (34), Akaniyene Uwem (22), Eni Iboro (27),
Obinna Stephen (26), Monday Ocha (37), Obinna Ibekwe (27), and
Kingsley Ezengorie (24)
They were charged for treasonable felony after allegedly destroying
the national flag hoisted at the premises of a bank during their protest
and chanting hate songs against the Nigerian state.
The three- count charge against them read in part, “…on October 20
2015, at about 2:00p.m., at Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt, the
suspects and others now at large, did conspire amongst yourselves to
commit felony to wit: Treason and thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 37(2), of the criminal code, Cap C38, Laws of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
“… on same date and time did without lawful authority demonstrate and
chant war song that Hausa is not part of Biafra, which caused panic in
the neighbourhood, instilled fear on reasonable grounds with intent to
intimidate or cause panic within the state and thereby committed an
offence punishable under section 37(1) of the criminal code, Cap c38
laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
“…all the suspects and others now at large on the same place and
time, did wilfully and unlawfully damage the Nigeria flag, which was
hoisted at Zenith Bank Plc. Ikoku Branch in Port Harcourt, and thereby
committed an offence punishable under section 451 of criminal code, Cap
c38 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.”
They were not allowed to take plea. but they were all represented by different counsels.
Chief Magistrate Andrew-Jaja said that though there were arguments
from various counsels to grant them bail, he was not convinced. So, he
ordered that they be remanded in prison custody till October 27 when
each of the counsels will address the court on their bail application.
State counsel, Ayo A. Ajaghe, who prosecuted the case argued against
their bail applications, saying that the magistrate’s court lacked
powers to hear the matter.
According to the counsel, the offence for which they were charged was treasonable and attracts capital punishment if convicted.
He said they should not be allowed to go because they were allegedly moving to tear the country apart.
Vanguard gathered that another batch of 24 persons were
brought to the state CID for similar offence. It is not clear when they
will be charged to court.
Judtice Onunwo, who spoke to the Vanguard on the development at the court , said those arrested were innocent.
According to him, Police provided security for the protesters,
Tuesday, wondering why a handful of persons would be arrested and
charged to court over the protest..
