Court bars Okolie, three others from travelling over terrorism charges

Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has granted bail to the four accused persons standing trial in a seven-count charge of terrorism, attempted murder, malicious damage of Police/ vigilante patrol vehicle and illegal possession of firearms, among others.

This follows the petition filed against them by Obi of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, Dr. Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjor II.

The four accused persons are the National Legal Advisor of Ogwashi-Uku Development Association worldwide, Francis Okolie; Prince Eugene Izediunor, John Nwona, who is the Agidiase Youth President, and the Secretary General of Ogwashi-Uku Development Association, Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday.

Counsels to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants, Efe Akpofure, Albert Akpomudje, Prof. Oludayo Amokaye, and Andrew Malgwi, respectively, had, in their bail applications, urged the court to apply its discretionary powers in granting the accused persons bail with assurance that they would not jump bail.

However, the prosecution counsel, Orji Kalu, in a counter affidavit, urged the court to deny the defendants bail in view of the severity of the charges against them and the likelihood that they will jump bail.

Ruling on the bail applications, the presiding Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Agbaje, noted that the accused persons had been regular in court sittings and would not likely abuse the bail if granted them, alluding to the fact that bail was at the discretion of the court.

Justice Agbaje, therefore, granted the defendants bail at N5 million each, a surety each in like sum who must be a responsible citizen and owner of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, insisting that the original title document of the said landed property should be deposited with the court.

The court also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court, barring them from travelling outside the country during the pendency of the trial.

The court threatened to revoke the bail should the defendants fail to stand trial and adjourned the case till February 11 and 12, 2025, for commencement.