By Christian Ogbonna
Thirty-three suspects, including two traditional rulers and a senior local government official, were on Friday arraigned before an Ebonyi State High Court in Abakaliki over a bloody communal clash that left at least four people dead and sparked tension between two neighbouring communities.
The defendants were dragged before the court over the violent conflict between Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area and Okporojo Community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area.
Among those standing trial are traditional rulers, Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey, as well as the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Byron Anya.
The suspects were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, communal disorder, arson and murder.
Others facing trial include Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemere, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Julius Oko, Eze Uchendu and Sunday Eburu, among several others.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly participated in the violent clash on January 29, 2026, during which four persons-Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe, were killed in Okporojo Community.
The offences are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.
Drama unfolded in court when defence counsel, Chief Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application seeking bail for five of the defendants, including the two monarchs, the development centre coordinator and two female suspects.
Erhenede argued that the accused persons had spent five months in detention and deserved to be released pending trial.
He further told the court that the police had recommended their release and urged the judge to consider their social status and the provisions of the Criminal Justice Rules, 2023.
However, the application was strongly opposed by counsel to the Ebonyi State Government, Mrs Chinyere Anoke, who represented the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ben Odo.
Anoke argued that the gravity of the murder charges made the bail request inappropriate, insisting that the court should exercise caution.
After listening to both sides, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi declined to take an immediate decision on the application and adjourned the matter until June 5 and June 17.
The judge directed the defence team to file a formal written application for bail before the next hearing dates.
The case has attracted significant public attention due to the involvement of traditional rulers and senior community figures, as well as the deadly nature of the communal conflict that claimed multiple lives.
Residents of the affected communities are expected to closely monitor the proceedings as the court begins the process of determining responsibility for one of the state’s most violent communal clashes in recent months.
