A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia state, yesterday ordered that 60 accused person of Indegeneous Proplr of Biafra (IPOB) be remanded at the Afara Federal Prisons in Aba.
The IPOB members were among those arrested in the clashes with security officials which eventually led to the secessionist group being declared a terrorist organisation. IPOB is seeking an independent Igbo country of Biafra, while its leader, Nnamdi Kanu is currently being prosecuted for alleged treason. After the clashes in Abia which also led to the death of a police officer and burning down of a police station, the group was proscribed by the Southeast governors and alter declared a terrorist organisation by a federal court following an application by the federal government. Premium Times had earlier reported the police statement that arrested IPOB members would be prosecuted for arson and murder. On Monday, the counsel to the suspects challenged the jurisdiction of the court. The suspects were arraigned for alleged conspiracy, terrorism, attempted murder, and membership of unlawful society. The case was later adjourned till October 25.
