Thirty three suspects have been arraigned over the communal war between the people of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and their Okporojo neighbours, Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area also in the state.
The suspects were arraigned on Friday before a high court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital on four count charge bothering on murder.
The suspects who are all indigenes of Amasiri community include Geoffrey Onya, Idam Bassey (traditional rulers) and Baron Anya, coordinator of Amasiri development center.
Others are Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemre,, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Oko Julius and Eze Uchendu, Eburu Sunday.
The suspects were accused of killing Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe in Okporojo, Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area on 29th January, 2026, and action 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 to them, the suspects pleaded not guilty.
The defence counsel, Chief Mudi Erhenede made oral application for the bail of the accused persons.
Erhenede argued that the accused persons have been in prison custody since five months and that police had made recommendations for their release.
But counsel to the government, Chinyere Anoke who held brief for the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odo, opposed the application.
She argued that the accused persons were facing murder charges and that it was unusual for persons facing murder charges to be released.
The trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi adjourned the matter to 5th and 17th June to enable the counsel to the accused persons to file a written application for bail.
The people of Amasiri and Oso Edda have been at war for decades over disputed land.
The crisis escalated on 29th January, 2026 when warriors invaded Okporojo and beheaded four persons in the community including an elderly woman.
Houses and other property worth millions of naira were burnt during the invasion.
