A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a retired Department of State Services (DSS) officer, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations of supporting the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ezeakolam was arraigned on Thursday by the DSS on a four-count charge bordering on alleged membership of IPOB, promoting the group online and encouraging others to support it.
According to the DSS, the alleged offences violate Sections 13, 25 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The retired officer pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand him in custody pending the hearing of the case.
Justice Muhammed Umar granted the request, ordered Ezeakolam’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 29 for the commencement of trial.
In the first count, the DSS alleged that between 2025 and 2026, Ezeakolam provided moral support to IPOB by sharing information about the group through the internet and his social media platforms.
The second count accused him of joining the proscribed organisation during the same period.
In the third count, he was accused of using social media posts to encourage members of the public to support IPOB.
The fourth count alleged that he published messages online intended to advance the activities of the proscribed group, an offence said to be punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
The trial is expected to begin later this year.
