Retired DSS Operative Arraigned for Allegedly Providing Support to IPOB

A retired operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of supporting the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ezeakolam appeared before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on Thursday to answer a four-count charge filed by the Department of State Services through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.

According to the charge sheet, the DSS accused the retired officer of publishing messages on social media intended to encourage members of the public to support IPOB.

The agency further alleged that Ezeakolam became a member of IPOB sometime in 2025 despite being aware that the organisation had been declared a proscribed group by the Federal Government.

The prosecution also claimed that he provided moral support to the group by disseminating information through the internet and his social media platforms, actions it said violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In addition, the retired DSS officer was accused of aiding and abetting the activities of IPOB by posting materials allegedly designed to persuade unsuspecting members of the public to support the organisation.

The Federal Government proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation in 2017.

When the charges were read in court, Ezeakolam pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, counsel to the DSS, Memunat Oladunjoye, requested a date for the commencement of trial.

However, defence counsel, Godfirst Madu, informed the court of his intention to file a bail application on behalf of the defendant.

Justice Umar advised the defence that the bail application could be filed at any time and subsequently fixed October 29 for the commencement of trial.

Pending the hearing of his bail application, the court ordered that Ezeakolam be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.