The Department of State Services has arraigned four suspected members of IPOB, an outlawed group, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of its officer, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh.
The suspects were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism and kidnapping of a DSS personnel.
The defendants in the matter are Michael Okafor, Chinedu Joseph Chukwudozie, Chibunna Olisa and Chigozie Olisa.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism and were involved in the abduction of Owoh, a DSS operative, while he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State.
The defendants were also accused of taking the operative hostage and causing his death in the course of the alleged criminal operation.
They were equally accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as involvement in activities allegedly linked to terrorism.
The prosecution alleged that the suspects were involved in the unlawful possession of firearms, including AK-47 and pump-action rifles, in connection with the alleged offences.
Shortly after their plea of not guilty, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, adjourned the case to October 6, 2026, for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody.
Security sources revealed that Owoh disappeared on February 23, 2022, along Orlu Road in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, while en route to Awka town in a silver-coloured Pontiac Vibe.I have kept the headline in capital letters while using normal sentence capitalization throughout the body, including names, places, agencies and acronyms.
