An Enugu Magistrate Court has remanded the traditional ruler of Igga community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, and a former councillor of the community in prison for alleged murder and being members of a terrorist group.

The monarch who had been in detention for one month and two days at the State Criminal Investigation Department and four others were arraigned by the Enugu State Police Command on 10 counts before an Enugu North Magistrate Court 1.

In the charge No: MEN/320c/2024, between the Commissioner of Police (Kanayo Uzuegbu) and Igwe Herbert Ukuta, 62; Festus Okonkwa, 62; Ofadile Titus Henry, 39; Sunday Ugwu, 26 and Obinna Ayogu, 54, the community leaders were accused of conspiracy, being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its security wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN); the murder of five persons including two policemen and being a member of a terrorist group.

The police said the offences allegedly committed by the defendants are contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Some of the charges read: “That you HRM Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m, Festus Okonkwa ‘m’; Ofadile Titus Henry ‘m’; Sunday Ugwu ‘m’’; Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the day of May 2024 at about 1315hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Membership of a terrorist group and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) and Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did join, belong and participate in the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network which is a proscribed terrorist group by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 25(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Festus Okonkwo Titus Henry’’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Eze Fidelis ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

When the charges were read to them, they did not make any plea as the magistrate did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the case as the charges were brought under the Federal Act.

All the accused were subsequently ordered to be remanded at Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre. (The PUNCH)

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