Retired security operative pleads not guilty to four-count terrorism and cybercrime charges as court remands him in Kuje
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned one of its retired officers, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a four-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism-related offences and cybercrime linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
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The DSS Arraigns Ex-Officer case was heard before Justice Muhammed Umar, where the prosecution alleged that Ezeakolam’s actions violated Sections 13, 25 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
After the charges were read in open court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Following the plea, counsel for the DSS urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned proceedings until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that Ezeakolam be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
According to the first count, the prosecution alleged that the retired officer, between 2025 and 2026 in Abuja and Abia State, directly and indirectly supported IPOB by disseminating information promoting the activities of the organisation through the internet and social media platforms.
The prosecution argued that the alleged conduct amounted to rendering moral assistance to a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In the second count, Ezeakolam was accused of joining IPOB during the same period, an offence said to be punishable under Section 25 of the Act.
The third count alleged that he knowingly aided and abetted the organisation by publishing messages on social media intended to encourage members of the public to support IPOB, contrary to Section 26 of the legislation.
The fourth count accused the defendant of using social media platforms to publish and make accessible messages allegedly intended to advance the cause of IPOB, contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged offences were committed within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to prosecute individuals accused of supporting or promoting the activities of IPOB under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, led by Nnamdi Kanu, was proscribed by the Federal Government in September 2017 after the Federal High Court in Abuja declared it an unlawful organisation. It was subsequently designated a terrorist organisation under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
IPOB has consistently rejected that designation, maintaining that it is a non-violent movement advocating self-determination for Nigeria’s South-East region.
However, Nigerian authorities have continued to arrest and prosecute individuals accused of belonging to or promoting the activities of the group under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and other relevant statutes.
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With Ezeakolam maintaining his innocence, the court is expected to begin hearing evidence when the trial opens on October 29, in a case likely to draw attention because it involves a former operative of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency facing serious terrorism-related allegations.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
