Court sends ex-DSS officer to Kuje prison over IPOB links

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded a retired officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu-Ihechimere Ezeakolam, for allegedly rendering support to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Ezeakolam was arraigned before the court on Thursday, August 6, 2026, on a four-count charge bordering on terrorism.

The former DSS officer, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts when the charge was read to him.

Following the arraignment, the DSS counsel, Memunat Oladunjoye, prayed for a trial date.

However, the defence counsel, Godfirst Maduka, applied for a date to file bail application for his client.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, told the lawyer that the application can be filed at any time.

Justice Umar, who adjourned the matter until October 29 for the commencement of trial, ordered that Ezeakolam should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending his bail application.

The charge dated and filed on August 4 was instituted by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

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The former DSS officer was accused of rendering support and material assistance to IPOB, contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

He was accused of joining IPOB, despite knowing fully well that it is a proscribed organisation.

The offence, according to the DSS, is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

Ezeakolam was also accused of posting on social media platforms, messages calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support IPOB.

The secret police said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.