Francis Ugwoke
4 June 2008
Enugu — Seventy-eight (78) members of the Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court, Enugu on an 8-count charge of treasonable felony by the Federal Government.
The suspects were said to have been arrested from various towns in Anambra State last week during the commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the defunct Biafra in which the movement said its members were going to stage a protest march from Owerri, Imo State to Enugu.
At the court yesterday, the suspects, including a woman, were putting on Biafra vests, including the MASSOB cardigan bearing the logo of the movement.
The charges were read in batches to the suspects who were accused of conspiracy to commit felony, an offence punishable under section 41 (c) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77 laws of the federation.
In the charges read to the suspects, the MASOB members were told that their action was aimed at levying war and intimidating Nigerians in what could result to political unrest in the country.
Part of the charges read: "that you Ikearumba James, (male) Ikechukwu Ehujuo (male) and others at large at the same date and place and in the aforesaid judicial division did form an intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to compel the president to change his measures or in order to intimidate or overawe any member of the National Assembly or any legislative authority and thereby committed an offence against the federation of Nigeria, 1990.
"That you Ikearumba James (male) Festus Ihegbulem (male) and others at large on the 16th day of May, 2008 at Ihiala in the Anambra Judicial division did conspire to commit felony to wit; treasonably felony and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act cap 77, laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mkpume (male) on the 23rd day of May, 2008 at Ihiala in the aforesaid judicial division did form an intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to compel the president to change his measures or in order to intimidate or overawe any member of the National Assembly or any legislative authority and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41 ( c ) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 1990."
"That you Godwin Ubanonu (male), Chigozie Okeke (male) and others at large on the 11th day of May 2008 at Nnewi-Ichi Nnewi, in the aforesaid judicial Division did form an intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to compel the president to change his measures or in order to intimidate or overawe any member of the National Assembly or any Legislative Authority and thereby committee an offence punishable under Section 41 (c0 of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.
The prosecutor, Mr. Chris Ojeh after reading the charges to the suspects who pleaded not guilty to the charges applied to the court to remand them in prison custody. The presiding judge, Justice Peter Olayiwola following the application by the prosecutor ordered that the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter to July 28.
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