DSS CHARGES FOUR IPOB MEMBERS OVER OPERATIVE'S MURDER

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged four people suspected of being part of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for their involvement in the kidnapping and murder of one of their members, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh.

The defendants appeared in court on six charges that are similar to terrorism and the kidnapping of a DSS worker.The case was heard by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.The accused are Michael Okafor, Chinedu Joseph Chukwudozie, Chibunna Olisa, and Chigozie Olisa.

The prosecution said the defendants planned to carry out terrorist actions and were involved in the kidnapping of Owoh, a DSS officer, while he was traveling from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Awka in Anambra State.
They were also accused of holding the officer captive and causing his death during the alleged crime.

The defendants were also accused of belonging to IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as involvement in activities allegedly linked to terrorism.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants were involved in the unlawful possession of firearms, including AK-47 and pump-action rifles, in connection with the alleged offences.

The charges came after investigations into how the DSS officer was taken and killed, as well as the actions that the defendants are accused of.

The prosecution‘s lawyer, Munirat Oladunjoye, asked the court to set a date for the trial and told the judge that the prosecution has three witnesses who will give evidence.