Court remands suspected IPOB members in prison

An Aba North Chief Magistrate, Ogbonna Adiele, has ordered the seven suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra arraigned over alleged murder, arson, use of offensive weapons and theft be remanded in prison.
The Magistrate, directed the Police, to transfer the case file to Director of Public Prosecution, (DPP), stating that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The defendants were arraigned on 12-count charge of murder of ASP Cyril Nwosu, setting ablaze the Ariaria Police station, burning of exhibit vehicles, theft of police pump action rifles and control offensive weapons as members of the IPOB, which they used to terrorize the public.
The offence is punishable under Section 10(1)(a) of the Abia State Prohibition of terrorism, kidnapping, hostage taking, the use of offensive weapons or explosives and other threatening behavior, Law No. 10 of 2009.
But counsel to the defendants, Charles Onuchukwu, urged the court to strike out the charges against the suspects because he has no jurisdiction to handle it.
The charge sheets with No; MAN/ 132/ C/2017 and MAN/ 133C/2017, has Commissioner ofPolice as the Plaintiff and Chinonso Ude, Maduabuchi Echereodo, Ukochukwu Ikechukwu, Okechukwu Daniel, Okezie Jeremiah, Chizuruoke Nwanmuo and Ifeanyi Sunday as defendants.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, said the court lacks jurisdiction to try the alleged offences of murder and arson.
He ordered the suspects be remanded in the prison, and directed the Police to transfer the case file to the DPP. He adjourned the case till October 11 for report on compliance.