(High Court. Photo by Daily Nigerian)
Thirty-three suspects have been brought before a high court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in connection with the violent communal conflict between the people of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and their neighbours in Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area.
The suspects, all indigenes of Amasiri community, were arraigned on Friday on a four-count charge of murder.
Among those charged are two traditional rulers Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey as well as Baron Anya, the coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre, alongside several others including Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius, Eze Uchendu, and Eburu Sunday.
The suspects are accused of killing four people Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama, and Eze Orji Ndukwe in Okporojo, Oso Edda on January 29, 2026, an offence punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Ebonyi State, 2009. All thirty-three suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Their defence counsel, Chief Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application for bail, arguing that the accused had already spent five months in custody and that the police had recommended their release.
However, counsel representing the government, Chinyere Anoke, opposed the bail application, contending that it was unusual for individuals facing murder charges to be granted bail.
The trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi, adjourned the matter to June 5 and 17 to allow the defence to file a formal written bail application.
The Amasiri and Oso Edda communities have been locked in a land dispute for decades.
The situation reached a horrifying peak on January 29, 2026, when armed warriors stormed Okporojo, beheading four residents including an elderly woman, and burning down houses and property worth millions of naira.
