Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Paul Okechukwu, a 48-year-old member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to 20 years’ imprisonment for belonging to the organisation.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentence on Thursday after Okechukwu pleaded guilty to the first of two charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
The prosecution alleged that Okechukwu, a native of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, belonged to IPOB in Imo State in 2021, contrary to Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The second charge accused him of participating in an attack that resulted in the deaths of two security operatives. However, Okechukwu pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who led the prosecution, subsequently withdrew the second charge, following which the court struck it out.
After the charge was amended, the prosecution called a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), identified as “ABC” during the trial, to testify.
The witness, who said he was part of the team that investigated the defendant, identified Okechukwu as an IPOB member and alleged that he was involved in terrorist activities, including attacks on security personnel.
The witness also tendered the investigation report, which the court admitted as evidence.
Fagbemi urged the court to convict Okechukwu, arguing that the law prescribed a minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for the offence.
The court subsequently sentenced the defendant to 20 years in prison for his membership of the proscribed organisation.
