Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja remanded five men from Port Harcourt at Kuje Prison in Abuja for terrorism charges brought by the Federal Government.
The judge said they would stay in prison until February 2 when he would decide on their bail applications.
The five accused are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
They faced a 7-count charge of alleged terrorism offences for storming, vandalizing and setting fire to the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex during a political crisis that hit the state in October last year.
The crisis was caused by the clash between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The accused also allegedly killed a Police Superintendent, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants in Ahoada community of the state.
The names of the police informants who were reportedly killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.
The Federal Government also claimed that the accused used various cult groups, such as – Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland – to terrorize the state’s people and businesses.
However, the accused denied the charges against them, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, when they were read.
The former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie, who was not among the 7-count terrorism charge, was represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin, because his name was mentioned in the alleged offences.
He denied the allegations that he was hiding with other suspects.
Justice Olajuwon did not allow more arguments because he was not a defendant in the case.
Audu Garba, the prosecutor asked that a date for the full trial of the accused should be fixed after the arraignment.
However, SAN Lukman Fagbemi who represented Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele wanted to make application for their bail because they have been in police custody since last year.
Audu Garba, Counsel to the Government vehemently opposed saying he had just received the bail applications and needed time to read them and file a counter affidavit.
Justice Olajuwon agreed with counsel to the government that the bail applications were not ready for hearing. He therefore fixed February 2 as date for hearing all bail applications.
Pending when their bail applications would be heard and determined, Justice Olajuwon ordered that they should be kept in Kuje Prison till next date.