Court sends IPOB member to 20 years in prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Paul Okechukwu to 20 years in prison on Thursday. He is a self-confessed member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is a banned group in Nigeria.

Okechukwu pleaded guilty to one of the two charges against him by the federal government. He denied the second charge, which claimed he took part in an attack.

The first charge said that Okechukwu, from Nnewi South in Anambra State, committed the crime in Imo State in 2021 by being a member of IPOB. This goes against Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

The second charge claimed that he took part in an attack that killed two security operatives. This goes against Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

After an application from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the court dropped the second charge when it was withdrawn.

Fagbemi asked for a witness from the State Security Service (SSS) to present some facts of the case. The witness, called “ABC” in court, identified Okechukwu as an IPOB member and stated that the group is banned.

The witness also said that Okechukwu was involved in acts of terrorism, including attacks on security agents. He mentioned that he was part of the team that investigated Okechukwu.

The witness presented an investigation report, which the court accepted as Exhibit A.

Fagbemi argued for Okechukwu’s conviction, stating that the law has a minimum sentence of 20 years for his offence. After this, Okechukwu broke down in tears in the dock. He pleaded with the court to show him mercy.

Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the judgement. She found Okechukwu guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

The judge explained that the court considered the charge against Okechukwu and the impact it had on the country. She ordered that he be held in any correctional facility chosen by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service. His sentence will start from the date of his arrest.

The court also ordered that Okechukwu be rehabilitated and deradicalised after serving his sentence.