A retired operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and providing support to the group.

Ezeakolam was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on a four-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.

The DSS alleged that the retired officer joined IPOB in 2025 despite knowing the organisation had been proscribed by the Federal Government.

According to the charge, Ezeakolam allegedly used the internet and his social media platforms in 2025 and 2026 to provide moral support to IPOB by disseminating information intended to encourage public sympathy and support for the group.

The prosecution also accused him of knowingly aiding and abetting the organisation by publishing messages designed to induce unsuspecting members of the public to support IPOB, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

IPOB was proscribed and designated a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government in 2017.

Ezeakolam pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, DSS counsel, Memunat Oladunjoye, urged the court to fix a date for trial, while the defendant’s lawyer, Godfirst Madu, sought time to file a bail application.

Justice Umar ruled that the bail application could be filed at any time and adjourned the case until October 29 for the commencement of trial.

The court also ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.