Rivers Crisis Deepens As Abuja High Court Denies Fubara’s Loyalists Bail in Terrorism Case

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Kolos, ref, loud, gum and fast lane, By Funke Egbemode

By Funke Egbemode Scene One: Henry is poor and he knows it. He plays those betting games with fancy names, drinks, smokes, and loves loud music. He is in his late 30s with a wife and two children. They all live in a room in one of the new areas in Lagos, not too far…

Tribute to Professor Joy Ogwu By Kingsley Dike 

By Kingsley Dike There are very few people in this world whose chance encounter with you has such a transformative impact on your growth and development as a person. Professor Joy Ogwu, former Nigerian Foreign Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who recently passed, was one of them. I had met her at…

Ad

A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail for five loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara facing terrorism charges.

The accused – Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod – were charged by the Inspector General of Police for their alleged role in the political crisis that rocked Rivers State last October.

Specifically, police allege the defendants invaded and burned down the State House of Assembly complex, killing a Superintendent of Police and five informants. The attack was supposedly aimed at thwarting an impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara.

In her ruling, Justice Bolaji Olajuwon agreed with prosecutors that the terrorism charges warranted detaining the accused without bail and refused an application despite a plea by one of the defendants on health grounds. This, according to her, is based on the nature of the charges bothering on alleged terrorism and murder

The case has been adjourned until February 8th, 2024 for further hearing.

Similarly, the court refused an application by Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara, to have his name struck from the charges. Ehie, a former factional Speaker, was mentioned in the case but not listed as a defendant.

The court ruled Ehie was not a proper party in the case. It advised he either join as a defendant or surrender to prove he is not at large.

Ad

X whatsapp