ABAKALIKI – A total of 33 suspects, including two traditional rulers, were on Friday arraigned before an Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki over a deadly communal clash between the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area and the Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda LGA.
The defendants face a four-count charge of conspiracy, communal disorder, arson, and murder. They all pleaded not guilty.
Among those arraigned are traditional rulers Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey, alongside the coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Byron Anya. Other suspects include Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemere, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Julius Oko, Eze Uchendu, and Sunday Eburu.
Prosecutors allege the accused committed the offences on January 29, 2026, during which they murdered Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama, and Eze Orji Ndukwe in the Okporojo community. The charges fall under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.
Defence counsel Mudi Erhenede made an oral bail application for five suspects, including the two monarchs, the development centre coordinator, and two female defendants. He argued they had spent five months in custody and that police had recommended their release.
However, state counsel Chinyere Anoke, representing the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo, opposed the application, noting that murder charges rendered bail inappropriate.
Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi adjourned the case to June 5 and June 17, directing the defence to file a formal written bail application.
