The Federal High Court in Enugu jailed the leader of Biafran Zionists Movement (BZM), Benjamin Onwuka, and 10 others for supposed treason.
They were accused on a four-count charge bordering on treason and attempt to threaten and impart fear in President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Sullivan Chime through their activities in BZM.
The charge reads in part:
“That you, Benjamin Onwuka (m), of block 3, flat 1, Railway Quarters Enugu, Ndubuisi Nnamushi (m) of No 31C Onuasata Road Enugu, Kelvin Eteh (m) of Emene Isiugu Village Enugu, Japhet Nwodo (m) of Nmoji Village Nkpor Agwu, Anambra State, Paulinus Uzoegbu (m) of No 8 Abakpa street, Okpoko Onitsha Anambra State, Sunday Chukwuma (m) of Agulere Anambra State.
“Also, Uduma Uduma (m) of Obosi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Betrand Obiekwu (m) of no 7 Nwafor Lane, Nkpor Agu, Onitsha Anambra State and Ijaga Samson (m) of No 17 Mission Road Nkpor Agu Onitsha, Anambra State, on or about the 8th day of March, 2014 at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria do commit an illegal act with intent to intimidate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as president and the governor of Enugu State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 37(1) and (2) of the criminal code Act LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section of the same act.”
The separatists were arrested last June after they launched a failed attack on the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, to declare the independence of the Biafra Republic.
After the suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, Senior state Council Representing the Attorney General of the Federation, D.E Kaswe applied for adjournment.
Ruling on the application, the presiding judge, Justice DVC Agishi, adjourned the case to 8th of December 2014 for hearing.
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