Court Cautions Defense in Trial of DSS Officer's Murderers

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, warned defense lawyers against delaying the trial of four suspected murderers of Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh, an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants, identified as Michael Okafor (a.k.a Onyechimeleze), Chinedu Chukwudozie (alias Kante), Chibunna Olisa, and Chigozie Olisa (a.k.a Ability), were arraigned on September 28 on six counts related to terrorism and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism, abducted Owoh while he was traveling from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Awka in Anambra, and subsequently killed him. They are also accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and of possessing firearms unlawfully.

During the proceedings, the prosecution sought to shield the identities of their witnesses, which was contested by the defense. Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favor of the prosecution, emphasizing the need to protect witness identities in terrorism-related cases.