No fewer than 33 suspects were on Friday arraigned before the Ebonyi High Court sitting in Abakaliki over a communal clash between two communities in the state.
The two communities are Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area and Okporojo community in Oso Edda, Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, communal disorder, arson and murder.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.
The suspects include two traditional rulers, Geoffrey Onya and Idam Bassey, as well as the coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Byron Anya.
Others include Emmanuel Ngwoke, Samuel Eni, Eze Ekeocha, Chukwudi Nwachinemere, Chukwuemeka Ifesinachi, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Julius Oko, Eze Uchendu and Sunday Eburu, among others.
The accused persons, who allegedly committed the offences on January 29, 2026, are alleged to have murdered Kalu Dick, Ifeoma Oduko Uduma, Anthony Ekumankama and Eze Orji Ndukwe in Okporojo community in Oso Edda.
The offences, according to the prosecution, are punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009.
Counsel to the defendants, Mudi Erhenede, made an oral application for bail of five of the suspects, including the two traditional rulers, the development centre coordinator and two female defendants.
Mr Erhenede urged the court to grant them bail based on their status and the provisions of Order 7 of the Criminal Justice Rules, 2023.
He argued that the accused persons had been in custody for five months and that the police had recommended their release.
Meanwhile, counsel to the State Government, Chinyere Anoke, who represented the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo, opposed the bail application.
Ms Anoke argued that the defendants were facing murder charges and granting them bail would be inappropriate.
Justice Emmanuel Ogbunnefi adjourned the matter until June 5 and June 17 to allow defence counsel to file a formal written application for bail.
(NAN)