Murder: Court warns defence in opposition to delay in trial of 4 IPOB members

The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned defence counsel in opposition to delay within the trial of 4 suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) charged with kidnapping and killing of an officer of the State Security Service (SSS).

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the warning after two legal professionals, Kelvin Ekwe and Geoffrey Uwadiegwu, who appeared for the defendants, made an software for adjournment.

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

They had been arraigned earlier than Justice Abdulmalik on 28 September on a six-count cost of terrorism and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism and had been concerned within the abduction of Ekpenyong Owoh, whereas he was travelling from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Awka.

They had been additional accused of taking the operative hostage and killing him.

The suspects had been additionally accused of belonging to the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, in addition to involvement in actions allegedly linked to terrorism.

In addition, the prosecution alleged that the suspects had been concerned within the illegal possession of firearms, together with an AK-47 rifle, and pump-action gun, in reference to the alleged offences.

The prices adopted investigations into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and killing of the officer and the alleged actions of the defendants.

The defendants, nonetheless, pleaded not responsible to the cost.

When the case was referred to as on Wednesday, Munirat Oladunjoye, who represented the prosecution, knowledgeable the courtroom that the matter was fastened for trial following the defendants’ denial of the allegations.

She advised the courtroom that the prosecution utilized to protect the id of their witnesses pursuant to Section 232(3)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Ms Oladunjoye, due to this fact, prayed the courtroom for an order granting the permission to masks their witnesses, and conceal their names.