The Federal High Court in Enugu on Wednesday, remanded the leader of Biafran Zionists Movement (BZM), Benjamin Onwuka and 10 others in prison for alleged treason.
They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on treason and attempt to intimidate and instill fear in President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Sullivan Chime through their activities in BZM.
The leader of BZM, Benjamin Onwuka and 10 members of his group, were arrested last June in Enugu after they launched a failed attack on the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) to declare the independence of the defunct Biafra Republic.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, on or about March 8, 2014, “at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, do commit an illegal act with intent to intimidate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, and the Governor of Enugu State, Government House.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 37(1) and (2) of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section of the same act.”
The suspects include Benjamin Onwuka (M) of Block 3, Flat 1, Railway Quarters, Enugu; Ndubuisi Nnamushi (M) of No.31C, Onuasata Road, Enugu; Kelvin Eteh (M) of Emene Isiugu Village, Enugu; Japhet Nwodo (M) of Nmoji Village; Nkpor Agwu, Anambra State, and Paulinus Uzoegbu (M) of No.8, Abakpa Street, Okpoko Onitsha, Anambra State.
Others are Sunday Chukwuma (M) of Aguleri, Anambra State; Uduma Uduma (M) of Obosi, Idemili North council, Anambra State; Betrand Obiekwu (M) of No.7, Nwafor Lane, Nkpor Agu, Onitsha, Anambra State, and Ijaga Samson (M) of No.17, Mission Road,
After the suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, Senior State Council representing the Attorney General of the Federation, D. E Kaswe, applied for adjournment. He said in view of the not guilty plea of the accused persons, he needed adjournment to enable him prepare for witnesses.
Counsel to the accused persons, Olu Omotayo said he had no objection but prayed for a short date on the grounds that his clients had stayed for many months in police custody.
Ruling on the application, the presiding judge, Justice DVC Agishi adjourned the case to December 8th, 2014 for hearing.
