Court sentences IPOB ‌‌‍‌‍⁠⁠‍‌‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌member to 20 years in prison

The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday sentenced a self-confessed member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Paul Okechukwu, to 20 years in prison for belonging to the proscribed group.

Mr Okechukwu pleaded guilty to one count of a two-count charge preferred against him by the federal government.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the second count, which alleged his participation in an attack.

In the first count, the federal government alleged that Mr Okechukwu, from Nnewi South in Anambra State, committed the offence in Imo State in 2021 by belonging to IPOB, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

The second count alleged that Mr Okechukwu participated in an attack in which two security operatives were killed, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Following an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the prosecution, the court struck out the second count after it was withdrawn.

Relying on Section 72 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, Mr Fagbemi applied for a State Security Service (SSS) witness to review some facts of the case.

The witness, identified as “ABC” for the trial, identified Mr Okechukwu as an IPOB member, adding that the organisation had been outlawed.

He told the court that the defendant was involved in acts of terrorism, including attacks on security agents. He said he was part of the team that investigated Mr Okechukwu.

The witness tendered a copy of the investigation report, which the court admitted as Exhibit A.

Applying for the defendant’s conviction, Mr Fagbemi argued that the law prescribed a minimum sentence of 20 years for the offence.

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Immediately after the application, Mr Okechukwu broke down in tears in the dock, pleading with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering judgement, Justice Hauwa Yilwa said she found Mr Okechukwu guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

The judge said the court had considered the charge against the defendant and the ripple effect it had on the nation.

She ordered that the convict be remanded in any correctional facility chosen by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, with the sentence running from the date of his arrest.

The court further ordered that the convict be rehabilitated and deradicalised upon completion of his prison sentence.