FG set to arraign Prince, 10 others for terrorism

The Federal Government has filed all the required papers in preparation to institute legal proceedings before Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja against a Prince of Idumuje-Ugboke in Delta state for alleged act of terrorism having conspired with ten other accomplices to commit the alleged act.

The Prince, Chukwunonso Nwoko, alongside a relative, Ejimofe Nwoko and nine others namely, Dennis Uwadiegum Nwoko, Ndudi Chijiume, Nwochie Agiliga Light, Raymond Omosiete, Adim Nwafor, Okey Ifejoku, Azuka Mukolu, Omoye Esonye and Aikhomo Omezi were by the order of Justice Abang in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/11/19 ordered to be summoned before the court for their arraignment.

This is contained in a press statement from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and made public on May 28, 2019 in Abuja by Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The Principal State Counsel, Mr. Magaji Labaran of the nation’s Department of Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice disclosed that one of the culprits, Ejimofe Nwoko between May 18-25, 2017 at Idumuje-Ugboko in Delta state conspired with the ten others to commit act of terrorism punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013.

He revealed that in a certified true copy (CTC) of the Enrolment of Order issued against the defendants signed on March 22, 2019; the applicant prayed for an order of the honourable court granting the complainant/applicant leave to serve court processes on the defendant by means of substituted services, to wit: by pasting same on the door post or at a conspicuous place/wall of the town hall at Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area.

It also requested an order of the court directing that the defendant be served by substituted means, and for such other order as the court may deem fit to make it in the circumstances.

The document also stated, “that the prosecution shall serve the 1^st to 11^th defendants the two count information dated the 5^th day of March, 2019 and all court’s processes issued in this matter by substituted means to wit: pasting some on the door post or at a conspicuous place/wall of the defendants’ premises or in the town hall at Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.    

“That the bailiff or the person effecting the service of the court’s processes shall take photograph of the place wherein the court’s processes are pasted and same attached to the affidavit of service that will be filed in court before the next adjourned date”.

Going by the case summary, Count One which bothers on Conspiracy, an offence punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, all the accused of Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State “on or before the 18^th to the 25^th of May 2017 at Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit Act of terrorism and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

Also Count Two, which is Acts of Terrorism punishable under Section 1 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013; read, “that you, Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko, Dennis Uwadiegum Nwoko, Ndudi Chijiume, Nwochie Agiliga Light, Raymond Omosiete, Adim Nwafor, Okey Ifejoku, Azuka Mukolu, Ejimofe Nwoko, Omoye Esonye, Aikhomo Omezi of Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State on or before the 18^th to the 25^th of May 2017 at Idumuje-Ugboko Community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court  did commit act of terrorism to wit burning of Houses belonging to members of the community namely Chukwuma Nwoko, Chief Chris Ugwu, Victor Omezi, Peter Bama, Nwoko Kachido and unlawful attack and killing  of one Cyprain Kumaorun at within the community and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.”