Alleged terrorism: Court stalls Gani Topba’s bail hearing, trial

Proceedings successful the lawsuit against Gani Topba, an Ogoni activistic and person and spokesperson of the Conscience of Ogoni People, could not proceed astatine the Federal High Court successful Port Harcourt on Thursday after the presiding justice disclosed that his authorisation to beryllium during the court’s abrogation was restricted to taking the defendant’s plea.

Justice Muhammed Turaki told lawyers successful the substance that the support granted to him by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court did not widen to proceeding Topba’s bail exertion oregon conducting the substantive trial.

The improvement stalled the scheduled proceeding of the bail exertion and the imaginable commencement of trial.

Justice Turaki said helium would necessitate further directives earlier helium could instrumentality immoderate further steps successful the case.

The tribunal consequently adjourned proceedings until September 8, 2026, for the proceeding of the bail exertion and imaginable commencement of trial.

Topba is facing a four-count complaint involving allegations of terrorism, seizure and detention of lipid wells successful Ogoniland, cybercrime and different offence.

One of the counts alleges that Topba intentionally published a video done a machine strategy to bully oregon harass the President-General of KAGOTE, different elite organisation successful Ogoni, Lesi Maol, and the enactment of the organisation, allegedly causing them to fearfulness for their safety.