The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought charges against a retired officer, Nwaogu Ezeakolam, on allegations of associating with the banned terrorist group, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
Ezeakolam is facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on four charges, overseen by Justice Mohammed Umar. These charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.
He is accused of providing support and material assistance to IPOB, an act that breaches and is punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022. Moreover, he allegedly joined IPOB, fully aware of its proscribed status.
The DSS claims this action contravenes Section 25 of the same Act. Ezeakolam is also accused of using social media to post messages intended to encourage public support for IPOB, an offense suggesting a violation under Section 26 of the Terrorism Act.
Additionally, he was charged with posting content on social media to further IPOB’s objectives, breaching Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Prevention Act, 2015.
Upon reading the charges, he pleaded not guilty. The DSS’s lawyer, Memunat Oladunjoye, requested a date for the trial to commence. The defense lawyer, Godfirst Maduka, sought time to file a bail application, which Justice Umar approved for submission at any time.
The court scheduled October 29 for the trial’s start and ordered his remand to Kuje prison pending his bail application.
Count one accuses Ezeakolam of offering support through moral assistance and spreading information for IPOB via the internet and social media between 2025 and 2026, breaching Section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
Count two states he joined IPOB in Abia State within this period, violating Section 25.
Count three addresses his actions on social media aimed at garnering public backing for IPOB, contravening Section 26.
Count four involves posting and enabling access to messages supporting IPOB on social media, breaching Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Act.
