FG Opposes Bail For Alleged Terrorism And Oil Bunkering Kingpin, Chief Onwa, In Abuja Court

FG Opposes Bail for Alleged Terrorism and Oil Bunkering Kingpin, Chief Onwa, in Abuja Court The Federal Government has opposed a bail application filed by an alleged terrorist and oil bunkering kingpin, Ugochukwu Lucky Ibekwe, popularly known as Chief Onwa, who is standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on multiple criminal charges. The defendant is facing allegations bordering on terrorism financing, illegal oil bunkering, economic sabotage, money laundering, bribery, and other offences linked to large-scale illegal crude oil operations. According to prosecution details presented before the court, Ibekwe is accused of operating illegal refining sites, vandalising oil pipelines, and running a criminal network involved in crude oil theft and distribution. Authorities also allege that the activities of the network contributed to environmental damage and the deaths of over 500 persons in affected communities.During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel Damian Okoro SAN urged the court to grant bail to the defendant, arguing that the prosecution had not established sufficient grounds for continued detention and also citing the defendant’s medical condition as a kidney transplant patient requiring urgent care. Okoro further assured the court that his client would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if granted bail, insisting that he posed no flight risk. However, the Federal Government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, strongly opposed the bail application, arguing that the charges are capital offences attracting severe penalties, including life imprisonment or death in some counts. The prosecution also challenged claims regarding the defendant’s medical condition, stating that no verifiable medical evidence from a government hospital had been presented to support the kidney transplant claim. Oyedepo urged the court to deny bail and instead order an accelerated hearing of the case, stressing concerns about witness protection and the seriousness of the alleged offences. The court, presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim, adjourned proceedings to a later date for ruling on the bail application. The case continues as part of broader federal efforts to clamp down on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related economic crimes in the Niger Delta region.