A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled September 3, 2026, for the hearing of a bail application and the possible start of trial for Chief Gani Topba, leader and spokesman of the Conscience of Ogoni People.
Topba faces a four-count charge brought by the Department of State Services. The allegations include terrorism, the unlawful seizure and detention of oil wells in Ogoniland, and cybercrime offences.
Prosecutors claim he sought to seize and hold all oil wells in the area to force the Federal Government to bar Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (now Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited) and its affiliates from oil contracts there.
They further allege that Topba produced and published a video that attacked the leadership of KAGOTE.
According to the charge, the video was intended to seriously disrupt or destroy the political, economic and social foundations of Ogoniland, Rivers State and Nigeria, and to risk a repeat of the violence that struck Ogoniland in 1994. In a separate count, he is accused of using a computer system or network to bully or harass KAGOTE President-General Lesi Maoi and other group leaders. Prosecutors say the communication caused recipients to fear death or bodily harm, an offence under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Topba, who is also involved in the ongoing Ogoni dialogue with the Federal Government over the possible resumption of oil exploration in the area, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
During the recent sitting, DSS counsel A.A. Emefiana requested an adjournment so the prosecution could respond to the bail application filed by defence lawyer Golden Awi. Awi did not oppose the request but told the court his team had faced difficulties gaining access to his client. Justice Muhammed Turaki instructed the DSS counsel to resolve the access problems with the defence before adjourning the case to September 3 for the bail hearing and possible trial.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Awi described the charges as frivolous. “Gani Tuba is charged for matters pertaining to terrorism, that he made certain statements against the president of KAGOTE which to the eyes of the DSS, those acts were capable of inciting, causing a societal breakdown and he felt that was terrorist action,” he said. He noted that the case first came up on August 28, when the court took Topba’s plea and adjourned for trial.
The prosecution was not ready to proceed, he added, after being served with the bail application. Both the bail application and the trial have now been fixed for September 3. “Our position is that no crime has been committed. That’s the fact of the defense,” Awi stated.
The DSS counsel declined to comment.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
