A retired operative of the Department of State Services, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, was on Thursday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and offences bordering on terrorism.
The Federal Government, through the Department of State Services, filed a four-count charge against Ezeakolam before Justice Mohammed Umar, accusing him of supporting and promoting the activities of IPOB through social media.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alleged that the former DSS officer rendered moral and material support to the separatist group, despite its proscription by the Federal Government.
According to the charge, Ezeakolam allegedly provided moral assistance to IPOB by disseminating what the prosecution described as terrorist-related information on the internet and various social media platforms between 2025 and 2026 in Abuja and Abia State.
He was also accused of knowingly joining the organisation, an offence said to contravene Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant posted messages intended to persuade members of the public to support IPOB, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the fourth count, Ezeakolam was accused of using social media platforms to publish messages aimed at advancing the cause of IPOB, an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Following his plea, DSS counsel, Memunat Oladunjoye, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel for the defendant, Godfirst Maduka, however, informed the court of his intention to file a bail application and sought time to do so.
Justice Umar directed that the application could be filed at any time and subsequently adjourned the matter until October 29 for the commencement of trial.
The judge also ordered that Ezeakolam be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The prosecution alleged that the offences were committed in Abuja and Abia State between 2025 and 2026 and are punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
If convicted, the defendant could face penalties prescribed under the relevant laws.
Ezeakolam’s arraignment comes amid sustained efforts by security agencies to prosecute individuals accused of supporting or promoting the activities of IPOB, which was proscribed by the Federal Government and designated a terrorist organisation by a court order in 2017.
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