33 ARRAIGNED OVER EBONYI COMMUNAL CLASH KILLINGS, ARSON

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Agency Report

No fewer than 33 suspects have been arraigned before an Ebonyi State High Court over alleged murder and arson linked to a violent communal clash between the people of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and the Okporojo community in Idima Edda, Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were brought before the court sitting iAgency n Abakaliki on Friday on a four-count charge bordering on murder and arson.

Among those arraigned are two traditional rulers, Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey, as well as a former Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Baron Anya.

Others standing trial include Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius, Eze Uchendu and Eburu Sunday, among others.

The prosecution alleged that the accused persons, all said to be indigenes of the Amasiri clan, were involved in the killing of Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe during the January 29, 2026 crisis in Okporojo, Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.

When the charges were read in court, all 33 defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, defence counsel, Chief Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application seeking bail for five of the accused persons, including the two traditional rulers, Baron Anya and two female defendants.

Erhenede argued that the accused persons had remained in custody for about five months and noted that the police had recommended their release. He urged the court to grant bail pending the hearing of other applications, citing relevant provisions of the state’s Criminal Justice Rules.

However, counsel to the Ebonyi State Government, Chinyere Anoke, who represented the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odo, opposed the application.

She argued that the defendants were facing serious murder charges and that granting bail in such circumstances would be inappropriate.

After listening to both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi, directed the defence to file a formal written bail application for consideration by the court.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 5 and June 17, 2026, for further proceedings.