An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki has remanded 33 persons, including traditional rulers and women from the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area, over their alleged involvement in a deadly communal clash that claimed the lives of four residents of a neighbouring community.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder following the January 29, 2026 attack on Okporojo community in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly participated in an invasion of the community during which four residents — Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe — were killed.
The offences are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Ebonyi State.
When the charges were read before the court, all 33 defendants pleaded not guilty.
Lead defence counsel, Mudi Erhenede, urged the court to grant bail to the traditional rulers and three female defendants, arguing that they had already spent five months in custody.
Citing provisions of the Criminal Justice Rules 2023, Erhenede maintained that the accused persons were entitled to bail and noted that law enforcement authorities had previously recommended their release.
However, the Ebonyi State Government opposed the application.
Counsel representing the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odoh, argued that the defendants were standing trial for capital offences involving the alleged killing of four persons and should not be admitted to bail.
She urged the court to allow the trial to proceed, stressing the gravity of the allegations against the accused persons.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi ordered that the defendants remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to June 5 and June 17, 2026, for hearing.
The case is linked to the long-running land dispute between Amasiri and Oso-Edda communities, two agrarian settlements that have for decades been embroiled in clashes over ownership of disputed boundary farmlands.
The conflict escalated in January following reports of attacks and counter-attacks in the area.
Security sources said the January 29 violence was allegedly carried out as a reprisal following an earlier confrontation linked to the disputed land.
The attack reportedly left four persons dead and led to the destruction of homes and property, forcing many residents to flee the affected community.
Following the incident, security agencies launched investigations that resulted in multiple arrests across the affected communities.
Authorities have since maintained heightened security presence around the Afikpo-Edda boundary to prevent a fresh outbreak of violence as the trial continues.
