Court throws out terrorism charges against activist

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo state High Court has discharged a Benin city-based activists, Kola Edokpayi of a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit treasonable felony.
The court action is sequel to the “notice of withdrawal” transmitted to it by the state counsel dated the 12th day of July, 2018 with charge number B/CD/166C/17.
Justice Ikponwonba who took judicial notice of the application, struck out the case and discharged the activist of the charges.
Edokpayi was arrested on 16th May, 2017 by the Police and immediately arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court in Benin City, on two count charges that bordered on conspiracy to commit felony to wit; instigating invasion of Nigeria.
The human rights’ activist was accused of instigating a group of Intellectuals, some of who are foreigners to invade the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) head office in Benin City, Edo state Government House, the state House of assembly and oil producing Communities.
According to the charge sheet, Edokpayi thereby committed an offence punishable under section 38 of the criminal code, Though the court had declined jurisdiction to hear the case it nonetheless ordered that the accused be remanded at Oko Prison.