A Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt today remanded 20 suspected supporters of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The suspects were arrested by the police during their demonstration on Tuesday for the release of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and a breakaway from Nigeria.
The suspects were, in Suit No. PMC/1195C/2015, charged with chanting hate songs, treason and the destruction of Nigeria flags that were hoisted at the premises of a new generation bank.
They were identified as Benson Sunday, Emmanuel Ali, Ukeme Monday, Chibuzor Eechina, Charles Eze, Egbo Okechukwu, Chibona Ifion, John Douglas, Ezenwa Alphonus, Wori Endurance, Chinomere Nwolu, Henry Eze Friday Uzunwa, Igbodo Abio, Akaniyene Uwem, Eni Iboro, Obinna Stephen, Monday Ocha, Obinna Ibekwe and Kingsely Ezengorie.
The charges read: “on October 20, 2015, at about 2pm, at Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt magisterial District, the suspects and others, now at large, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: treason and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37(2), of the criminal code, Cap c38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
“On same date and time did without lawful authority demonstrate and chant war song that Hausa is not part of Biafra, which caused panic in the neighbourhood, instill fear on reasonable grounds with intent to intimidate or cause panic within the state and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37(1) of the criminal code, Cap C38 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004. And
“All the suspects and others now at large on the same place and time, did wilfully and unlawfully damaged the Nigeria flag which was hoisted at Zenith Bank PLC, Ikoku branch in Port Harcourt, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of criminal code, Cap c38 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.”
However, each of the suspects, who was represented by a counsel, was not allowed to take any plea in the matter that was prosecuted by a state counsel, Ayo Ajaghe.
The Chief Magistrate, S.D. Andrew-Jaja, had told counsels for the suspects that he was not convinced that Magistrate Courts could grant bail on charges of treason.
Andrew-Jaja remanded the suspects to prison custody and directed their counsels to prepare to address the court on the suspects’ bail application during the court’s next sitting.
The matter was adjourned till October 27, 2015, for the address on bail application.