The federal government on Wednesday arraigned Idara Godwin, also known as Idara Gold Biafra before the Federal High Court, Abuja, for promoting the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Facebook.
In a three-count charge preferred against her, she was also accused of concealing information to the DSS, as well as being a member of the proscribed group.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge while Justice Binta Nyako, the trial judge, ordered that she be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, pending the commencement of trial slated for November 22.
Count one of the charges read: “That you Idara Godwin AKA Idara Gold Biafra, female, adult, of Egbonna, Topland Amechi road, Agbani road, Enugu State, sometimes in 2021 at Enugu Local Government Area, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Court did commit an offense to wit: you made series of posts on the Facebook social media platform wherein you promoted the activities of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation, and you thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.”
BACKGROUND
Idara Godwin was 20 years old when she was arrested on November 8, 2021, in Enugu State by the Department of State Security (DSS). Her lawyer said she has been denied access to her lawyers and family members since her arrest.
On Monday, Mr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, lawyer to the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) told newsmen that about 24 IPOB supporters are currently detained without an order of a court. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Ejiofor said the detainees are being held by the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army. According to him, the 24 persons were part of hundreds of people in different courts in Nigeria, most of whom have now become victims of enforced disappearance. The lawyer listed the detainees to include Pius Awoke, Ikechukwu Henry, Joy Godwin Udoh aka (Idara Gold), Emeka Ngonadi, Chinedu Nwoba, Igwe Johnson Dike, Ogbonna Joseph Ajah, Kingsley Onovu, Ogbonna David, Kenneth Ojima, Fortune Okezie, Joseph Okafor Eze, Emmanuel Onyibe Chinonso and Uket Godwin.
