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.
An Enugu State North Magistrate Court on Thursday, remanded in prison custody five community leaders of Igga community in Uzo-Uwani Council Area including the traditional ruler of the community and former Councilor, Igwe Herbert Ukuta and Festus Okonkwo respectively for alleged murder and being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The leader had been in police detention for more than a month without trial until SaharaReporters reported how the personnel of the State Criminal Investigation Department demanded a refund of N1.5million the police claimed was used to feed the monarch while in their custody.
Rattled by the report of SaharaReporters, the command on Thursday arraigned the leaders before an Enugu North Magistrate Court 1 on 10-count charge bordering on murder, conspiracy, concealing information, being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN); murder of five persons including two policemen and being members of the group.
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, which SaharaReporters obtained, the police said the offences is 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 among others.
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 IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) 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.
"That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta 'm' and Obinna Ayogu 'n' on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did recruit Festus Okonkwa 'm, Ofodile Titus Henry 'm, Sunday Ugwu 'm' and others now at large into the membership and activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) which is a proscribed terrorist group by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
"That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta 'm' and Obinna Ayogu 'm' on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did knowingly of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) within Igga Community and Adarice Farm Settlement, concealed and failed to report same to the law enforcement agencies and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16(1)(a)&(b) 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 3 day of May, 2024 at about 13:15 hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable unde Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
"That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta 'm', Festus Okonkwo 'm', Ofodile Titus Henry 'm', Sunday Ugwu 'm', 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 Police Inspector Nwoga Cornellus '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.
"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 unlawfully kill Police Constable Ikowa Anthony '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.
"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 unlawfully kill Emegoni Aloysius '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.
"That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta 'm', Festus Okonkw '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 unlawfully kill Adada Joshua '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.
"That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta 'm', 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.