RismadarVoice Reporters, May 30, 2026
Thirty-three persons have been arraigned before an Ebonyi State High Court in Abakaliki over alleged murder and arson arising from a violent conflict between the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area and Okporojo village in Idima Edda community of Edda Local Government Area.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday on a four-count charge bordering on murder and arson.
Among those charged are two traditional rulers, Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey, as well as a former Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Baron Anya. Other defendants include Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius, Eze Uchendu and Eburu Sunday, among others.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons, all said to be indigenes of the Amasiri clan, were involved in the killing of Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe during the crisis in Okporojo, Oso Edda, on January 29, 2026.
According to the charge, the alleged offences are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.
When the charges were read in court, all 33 defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, counsel to the defendants, Chief Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application seeking bail for the two traditional rulers, former development centre coordinator Baron Anya, and two female defendants.
Erhenede urged the court to grant the five accused persons bail pending the hearing of other applications, citing relevant provisions of the state’s Criminal Justice Rules.
He argued that the defendants had spent about five months in custody and noted that the police had reportedly recommended their release.
However, counsel representing the Ebonyi State Government, Chinyere Anoke, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ben Odo, opposed the application.
She argued that the defendants were facing murder charges and that courts generally exercise caution in granting bail to persons standing trial for such serious offences.
After hearing both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi, adjourned the case to June 5 and June 17, 2026, directing the defence counsel to file a formal written application for bail for the court’s consideration.
The case is linked to a longstanding inter-community dispute that escalated into violence earlier this year, resulting in deaths and destruction of property in parts of Ebonyi State.
