Magistrate Court remands 112 IPOB women agitators in Owerri prison

www.odogwublog.com reports that no fewer than One Hundred and Twelve (112) persons were yesterday arraigned on an eight court charge of treasonable felony, misdemeanor, unlawful assembly, amongst others.

This is even as the Magistrate, S.K. Durumba declined jurisdiction and ordered their remand at the Owerri prison in suit number OW/430c/2018.

The women were arrested in Owerri by the operatives of the Imo state police last Friday in a protest march wherein they demanded to know the whereabouts of their missing leader, Nnamdi Kalu; and that the Federal Government should conduct a referendum for an Independent State of Biafra.

Out of the number, were only five men, others were girls and women aged from 22 to over 60 years.

Just before the arraignment, a pregnant woman and another woman lost consciousness and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital before the commencement of the court sitting.

The police prosecutor, Thaddeus Okey told the court that the two women will be arraigned at a later date, and that he had withdrawn two out of the ten count charge.

The IPOB members were alleged to have conspired with others "now at large to commit a felony to wit: membership of proscribed organization known and called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 516 of the Criminal code Act, Cap C38, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 as applicable in Imo State".

They were alleged to have conspired with others now at large to commit felony to wit treasonable felony and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the criminal code act."

Another charge read "that on August 17,2018,within Owerri magisterial district, with intent to carry out some common purpose, assembled in such a manner as to cause perons in the neighbourhood to fear on reasonable grounds that the persons so assembled will tumultuously disturb the peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 70 of the criminal code act".

The suspects were alleged to have conspired with others now at large to commit misdemeanor to "wit conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 517 of the criminal code".

Further, they were alleged to have " in a public place, conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by unlawfully obstructing the flow of traffic and other business and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 (d) of the criminal code act".

Another charge read "That you did assemble yourselves together and publicly exhibited banners ,emblems, flags or symbols of Indigenous people of Biafra and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 88(b) of the criminal code acthe

Meanwhile, the two count charge withdrawn by the police prosecutor bordered on the women allegedly belonging to a terrorist organization and conspiracy.

The women who had protested half-naked were also arraigned in same manner, with some only clad in underwear. 

The suspects all pleaded not guilty to all of the charges preferred against them, even as about 10 lawyers entered appearance on their behalf.

Though their lawyers requested bail, the Magistrate, S.K. Durumba refused and directed the file be sent for legal advise, insisting that her court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The matter was adjourned to Monday, September 3rd for further hearing.