A retired operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of membership and support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ezeakolam was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Mohammed Umar on a four-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism-related offences and cybercrime.
The charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
According to the prosecution, the retired DSS officer allegedly provided moral and material support to IPOB by disseminating information about the group through the internet and various social media platforms, an offence said to be contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He was also accused of joining the proscribed organisation, an allegation the prosecution said contravenes Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another count, Ezeakolam was alleged to have knowingly aided and abetted IPOB by publishing messages on social media intended to persuade members of the public to support the organisation, contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The fourth charge accused him of posting messages on social media 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 in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Following his plea, counsel to the DSS, Memunat Oladunjoye, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the defendant, Godfirst Maduka, informed the court of his intention to file a bail application and requested time to do so. Justice Umar directed that the application could be filed at any time.
The trial judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that Ezeakolam be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed between 2025 and 2026 in Abuja and Abia State.
The prosecution alleged that Ezeakolam directly and indirectly rendered support to IPOB through online activities, knowingly became a member of the proscribed group, published messages encouraging public support for the organisation, and disseminated content intended to advance its cause through social media platforms.
