Ebonyi: Court arraigns 33 suspects over Okporojo massacare

Thirty‑three suspects have been arraigned in connection with the communal conflict between the people of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and their Okporojo neighbours in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

The suspects were brought before a high court in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Friday. They face four murder charges.

All accused are natives of the Amasiri community, including Geoffrey Onya, Idam Bassey (traditional ruler), and Baron Anya, coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre.

Other defendants are Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius, Eze Uchendu, and Eburu Sunday.

The charges allege that the suspects killed Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama, and Eze Orji Ndukwe in Okporojo, Oso Edda, on 29 January 2026. The alleged killings are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 vol 1, laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.

After the four‑count charge was read, the suspects pleaded not guilty.

Chief Mudi Erhenede, the defence counsel, applied for bail on behalf of the accused. He noted that the defendants had been in custody for five months and that police had recommended their release.

Chinyere Anoke, counsel to the government and brief for the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odo, opposed the application. She argued that it is unusual for individuals facing murder charges to be released.

Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi, the trial judge, adjourned the case to 5 and 17 June to allow the defence to file a written bail application.

The Amasiri and Oso Edda communities have been in conflict for decades over disputed land. The situation intensified on 29 January 2026 when warriors entered Okporojo and beheaded four residents, including an elderly woman. Homes and other property worth millions of naira were set ablaze during the attack.