DSS nabs ex-officer over terrorism-related offences, to be docked August 6

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested a retired officer of the Service, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, for allegedly associating with the proscribed terrorist organisation, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Ezeakolam, who is currently being held in the Service’s detention facility, is to be put on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a four-count charge.

He is to be arraigned before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, according to the charges filed against him by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Iseoluwa Oyedepo, SAN.

Among other allegations, the former officer was accused of rendering support and material assistance to IPOB, contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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

The offence, the DSS claimed, is contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Furthermore, Ezeakolam was accused of posting messages on social media platforms calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support IPOB, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Also, the retired DSS officer was charged with posting messages on social media platforms aimed at advancing the cause of IPOB.

The secret police said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

The charges against him are as follows:

Count One reads: “That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime in 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly and indirectly render support by providing moral assistance and disseminating terrorist information of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, through the internet and your social media platforms, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Count Two: “That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime in 2025 and 2026, in Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did join the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Count Three: “That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime in 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly, directly and indirectly aid and abet the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by posting messages on social media platforms calculated to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Count Four: “That you, Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, adult, male, sometime in 2025 and 2026, at Abuja and Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did post and cause to be accessed on social media platforms messages aimed at advancing the cause of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.”

His plea is expected to be taken by Justice Umar on Thursday, August 6.