A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned till September 3, 2026, to hear the bail application and commence possible trial of the Leader and Spokesman of the Conscience of Ogoni People, Chief Gani Topba.
Topba is facing a four-count charge bordering on terrorism, alleged seizure and detention of oil wells in Ogoniland, cybercrime and another related offence.
According to the charges, Topba is alleged to have consistently advocated the seizure and detention of all oil wells in Ogoniland to compel the Federal Government to prevent Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, now Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, and its affiliates from undertaking oil-related activities in the area.
He is also accused of knowingly or indirectly supporting the commission of an act of terrorism by allegedly making and publishing a video that maligned the leadership of KAGOTE, with the alleged intent to destabilise the political, economic and social structure of Ogoniland, Rivers State and Nigeria, and revive the crisis that engulfed Ogoniland in 1994.
In the fourth count, Topba is accused of intentionally making and publishing a video through a computer system or network to bully or harass KAGOTE President-General, Lesi Maoi, and other members of the group’s leadership, allegedly placing them in fear of death or bodily harm.
The charge cites Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Topba, who is a member of the Ogoni dialogue with the Federal Government on the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Counsel to the Department of State Services, DSS, A. A. Emefiana, subsequently made an oral application for an adjournment to enable the prosecution respond to the bail application filed by defence counsel, Golden Awi.
Although Awi did not oppose the application, he informed the court of difficulties in accessing his client.
Justice Mohammed Turaki directed the DSS counsel to resolve the issue with the defence before adjourning the matter to September 3, 2026, for consideration of the bail application and further proceedings.
The DSS counsel declined to speak to journalists after the proceedings.
However, defence counsel Golden Awi, while briefing the media on what transpired in court, explained the charges against his client and described them as frivolous.
