A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed 3rd of September, 2026 to consider of bail application and possible trial of the Leader/Spokesman of the Conscience of Ogoni People, Chief GANI TOPBA on a four count of Terrorism, seizure and detaining of all oil wells in Ogoni Land against Federal Government, Cyber Crimes and one other.
According to the charges, Chief GANI TOPBA, as alleged to have consistently insist on seizing and detaining all oil wells in Ogoni Land In order to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to preclude Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (now Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited) and all its affiliates from all oil related contracts in Ogoni Land
Chief GANI TOPBA is also alleged to have knowingly or indirectly render support for the commission of an act of terrorism by willfully making and publishing a video which allegedly maligned the leadership of KAGOTE, with the intent to seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structure of Ogoni land, the entire Rivers State and Nigeria, and have a repeat of the crisis that engulfed Ogoni land in 1994.
In count four, the leader of the Conscience of Ogoni People is alleged to have intentionally made and published a video through a computer system/network to bully or harass the President General of KAGOTE, LESI MAOI and the entire leadership of the group which communication placed them in fear of death or bodily harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(2) (a) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Act, 2015
Chief GANI TOPBA who is a member of the Ogoni dialogue with federal government on resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him and counsel to Department of Security Services, DSS, A A EMEFIANA orally applied for an adjournment to enable them respond to bail application by defense counsel, GOLDEN AWI.
Our correspondent reports that GOLDEN AWI who is the counsel to Chief GANI TOPBA did not oppose to the oral application but informed the court about difficulties been faced in accessing his client and the trial judge, Justice MUHAMMED TURAKI after asking DSS counsel to resolve the issues with the defense counsel, adjourned till 3rd of September, 2026 for bail application and full trial.
While DSS counsel declined to speak on the proceeding, defense counsel, GOLDEN AWI after narrating what transpired in court, explained in detail the charge against his client, describing it as frivolous
