Former Secret Police Officer Remanded in Prison Over Alleged IPOB Links
ABUJA — A retired operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ezeakolam, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Appearing before Justice Mohammed Umar, the former intelligence officer pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge brought against him by the federal government.
Details of the Terrorism and Cybercrime Charges
The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, accuse Ezeakolam of leveraging his position and digital platforms to aid the outlawed group. The counts include: membership of a proscribed organization, aiding IPOB’s activities and using social media networks to promote and encourage public support for the group.
According to the charge, the offences strictly contravene the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, alongside the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
Court Orders Remand at Kuje Prison
After the defendant entered a “not guilty” plea to the charge, his lawyer Godfirst Maduka notified the court of his plan to formally file a bail application for the retired operative while the prosecution requested the court to fix a definitive date for the commencement of the trial.
Justice Umar ordered that Ezeakolam be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the hearing and determination of his bail application, and directed that the defence file a formal application for bail
The case has been adjourned to October 29, 2026, for trial.
