8 pro-Biafra supporters docked in Port Harcourt

8 pro-Biafra supporters docked in Port Harcourt

Thursday, November 12, 2015 6:53 pm


A cross section of people protesting the arrest of Radio Biafra’s director, Nnamdi Kanu

A cross section of people protesting the arrest of Radio Biafra’s director, Nnamdi Kanu

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Eight persons,including a female, alleged to be supporters of the Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, involved in Tuesday’s  protest that grounded the city of Port Harcourt were today arraigned by the Police before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, charged with various offenecs

The accused persons were: Benedict Egine (55), Uchenna Emenike (25), Chukwunonso Nwaolisa (36), Obilor Onyemachukwu (29), Ogbonna Godwin (31), Wilson Ezeka (42) and female, Destiny Amuchechukwu (19).

They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate B.M.F Jamabo of Magistrate Court Port Harcourt.

The 55 year-old Benedict Egine was arraigned separately on charges of conspiracy and breach of public peace on Charge No: PMC/1357c/2015.

Others were also arraigned on similar charges on Charge No: PMC/1357c/2015.

Accused persons,  on count one, were said to have conspired to “levy war against the Federal Government”, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Law of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

On count two, they were accused of unlawfully demonstrating and chanting “war songs” and the need for a Biafra nation, which caused panic in the neighbourhood.

The offence is punishable under  Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Law of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

Shortly after the arraignment, counsel and elder brother to Egine, Chief Patrick Egine, wondered why his brother was the only person Police could arrest, after the prosecution told the court that they were over-powered by the protesters.

The  trial Chief Magistrate, B.M.F Jamabo, declined to treat the matter on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

He referred the matter to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and ordered that the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody pending the outcome of the advice.

The matter was adjourned till December 3, this year, for mention.

It would be recalled that thousands of Biafra supporters  staged a protest march on November 12, paralysing business activities in Port Harcourt and its environs.

Musa  Kumo,Commissioner of Rivers state,had announced that about 40 of the pro-Biafra protesters in Port Harcourt had been arrested and charged.


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