The Federal Government has opposed the bail application filed by an alleged notorious terrorist and oil bunkering kingpin, Ugochukwu Lucky Ibekwe, popularly known as Chief Onwa, who is standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on terrorism, illegal oil refining, economic sabotage, bribery, and money laundering.

Ibekwe is being prosecuted over allegations that he operated illegal oil refining sites, tampered with oil pipelines, siphoned crude oil, and ran a criminal network that allegedly caused the deaths of more than 500 persons through oil spills and related activities in Abia State.

At the proceedings before Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel to the defendant, Damian Okoro (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail pending trial.

Okoro argued that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case against Ibekwe, particularly regarding the allegation that his activities led to the deaths of over 500 persons.

He also informed the court that the defendant is a kidney transplant patient who requires urgent medical attention.

The senior advocate assured the court that his client would not abscond, interfere with witnesses, or tamper with evidence if released on bail.

However, the application was strongly opposed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who appeared for the Federal Government.

Oyedepo argued that the charges against the defendant are capital offences carrying severe penalties, including life imprisonment and the death sentence, making bail available only in exceptional circumstances.

He maintained that the defendant had failed to establish any exceptional grounds warranting his release.

The prosecutor also challenged the claim regarding Ibekwe’s medical condition, arguing that no credible medical records from a government hospital were presented before the court to substantiate the kidney transplant claim.

According to Oyedepo, evidence available to the prosecution indicates that more than 500 people died as a result of oil spills and activities linked to the defendant’s alleged illegal refining operations.

He further expressed concern over the safety and protection of witnesses expected to testify during the trial and urged the court to reject the bail request.

Instead, Oyedepo asked the court to order an accelerated hearing of the case.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter until July 1 for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial.

Charges Against Ibekwe

The Federal Government filed an eight-count charge against Ibekwe, alleging that between 1999 and 2025 he conspired with several individuals currently at large to operate illegal refining sites, vandalise oil pipelines, siphon crude oil, and sell refined petroleum products without appropriate licences in the Imo River Community of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The prosecution further alleged that he operated an organised criminal syndicate involved in the destruction of critical national infrastructure and that the activities of the network caused the deaths of more than 500 persons.

In one of the counts, Ibekwe is accused of paying N2 million into the bank account of one Oliver Amadi, a public officer, to secure protection and exoneration from allegations relating to illegal crude oil operations.

The defendant is also alleged to have paid N300,000 through an intermediary to one Major Samuel Ojeaga to enable members of his syndicate operate without interference from security agencies.

Another charge alleges that in August 2023, Ibekwe granted permission to one Musa Mohammed to engage in illegal oil pipeline tapping after receiving N1 million and agreeing to collect an additional N2 million weekly from the operation.

The prosecution further accused him of laundering proceeds of illegal crude oil activities by constructing hotels known as De Bliss Hotel in Oyigbo, Rivers State, and another De Bliss Hotel located on Imo Obeama Street.

The offences are said to be contrary to provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, and the Money Laundering Acts of 2011 and 2022.

The defendant has denied the allegations and is awaiting the court’s decision on his bail application.