A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded five suspects for allegedly carrying out the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
The suspects, who are believed to be loyalists of Governor Fubara, are Chima Eguma Ezebalike, Princess Lukman Oadele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon on Thursday stated that the five suspects will remain at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kuje until February 2 when the court will rule on their bail applications.
The Federal Government in the 7-count charges accused the suspects of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalising and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt with dynamite, iron rods, lighters and other offensive weapons in October 2023.
The suspects were also arraigned over the killing a Superintendent of Police Bako Agbashim and five police informants in the Ahoada community of the state, who were identified as Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.
The government also arraigned them over allegations of hiring various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.
In response, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024.
The prosecution alleged that the offences breached the provisions of Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The former factional Speaker of the state assembly, Edison Ehie, who was not listed in the 7-count terrorism charges, was represented by Oluwole Aladedoyin (SAN) to challenge allegations of being at large over the matter.
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