A High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the remand of 33 persons over their alleged involvement in deadly attacks on Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area.
The suspects, all indigenes of Amasiri in Afikpo LGA, were arraigned on Friday before Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi on a four-count charge bordering on murder.
They are accused of participating in violent incidents linked to a long-standing communal land dispute between Amasiri and Okporojo communities, a conflict that has reportedly resulted in multiple deaths and destruction of property over the years.
The latest escalation was said to have occurred on January 29, 2026, when armed attackers allegedly invaded Okporojo community, killing four persons, including an elderly woman, and destroying several homes and valuables worth millions of naira.
Among those arraigned were two traditional rulers, Chief Geoffrey Onya and Chief Idam Bassey, alongside the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Baron Anya, as well as other community members.
Others listed in the charge include several individuals such as Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, and Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, among others.
The defendants were accused of killing Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama, and Eze Orji Ndukwe during the January 29 attack, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code Law of Ebonyi State.
All 33 defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Counsel to the defendants, Chief Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application seeking bail for five of the accused persons, including the two traditional rulers and the community leader, arguing that they had been in custody for about five months and should be granted bail based on their standing and assurances of compliance.
He also referenced provisions of the Criminal Justice Rules of Ebonyi State, insisting that even police authorities had reportedly recommended their release.
However, counsel to the Ebonyi State Government, Chinyere Anoke, opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendants were standing trial for murder and that such offences rarely attract bail.
She maintained that granting bail at this stage would not be appropriate given the seriousness of the charges.
Justice Ogbunnefi subsequently adjourned the matter to June 5 and June 17, 2026, for hearing of formal bail applications and further proceedings, while ordering that the defendants remain in custody.
