Biafra Zionist leader, 11 othersarraigned for treason

Biafra Zionist leader, 11 othersarraigned for treason

A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu yesterday remanded Leader of Biafra Zionist Movement Benjamin Onwuka and 11 members of the separatist group in prison after they were arraigned before it for treason.
The secessionists invaded the Enugu State Broadcasting Serrvice studios on June 5 to declare Republic of Biafra. A policeman and a member of the group died during the invasion when policemen came in to stop them.
Those arraigned apart from Onwuka are: are Kelvin Eke, Samson Ijaga, Uduma Uduma, Bethrain Obiekwe, Abraham Ugwu, Paulinus Uzoegbu, Fidelis Nwaano, Nnamchi Ndubuisi, Michael Olennya, Jeophet Nwaodo and Aloysius Chukwuma.
The Prosecution told Justice D.V Agishi that the secessionists forced the radio station to air Biafran jingles and speeches of the late leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu and also attempted to make a live broadcast for the secession of Biafra from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They all pleaded not guilty. The charges were read to them in English and Igbo.
They were accused of converging on Nike Grammar School, Enugu, on June 4, to conspire to arm themselves with dangerous weapons with intent to capture the Enugu State Broadcasting Service Radio House and make a live broadcast for the secession of Biafra as a nation, an offence contrary to section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
In count two, they were accused of, on or about the March 8, 2014, in Enugu, committed an illegal act with intent to intimidate and overawe the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, and the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, by hoisting the flags of the Republic of Biafra and state of Israel at the main gate of the Enugu State Government House, an offence contrary to section (37)(1)(2) of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004.
.Count three. On or about June 5, arming themselves with dangerous weapons, and with intent to secede and make a live broadcast for secession of Biafra as a nation, attacking ESBS radio house and forced the staff on duty to play on air a compact disc containing Biafra jingles and speeches of the late Ojukwu “with a view to secure or procure unintentionally the restoration of Biafran nation and to overawe the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” an “offence of treason contrary to section 37(1) of the Criminal Code Act, LFN, 2004.
.Count four: The leader of the BZF, Onwuka, created a website for the group and posting inciting publications with intent to incite and solicit support from members of the public to intimidate and overawe President Goodluck Jonathan, an offence contrary to section 37(1)(2) of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004.
Following the ‘not guilty’ plea entered by the accused persons, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. D. E. Kaswe, asked the court to set a date for the commencement of trial. The judge fixed December 8.
The suspects were represented by Mr. Olu Omotayo, the South East Zonal Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO).