A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of two men charged by the federal government with conspiracy and act of terrorism.

The duo of Nwochie Agiliga Light and Aikhomo Omezi were arraigned yesterday before the court on a two-count amended charge.

They were alleged to have sometimes around May 18-25, 2017, conspired to commit the act of terrorism by burning houses belonging to members of Idumuje-Ugboko community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

They allegedly unlawfully attacked and killed one Cyprain Kumaorun within the community and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Following their pleas of not guilty, their counsel, Barrister N.F. Nwoku sought to apply orally for the bail of his client.

The application was however opposed by the prosecution counsel, Barrister Adewumi Aluko, who said a formal application ought to be placed before the court.

In a bench ruling, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned the matter to today for hearing of the formal bail application. He ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and adjourned the trial to March 11.

Daily Trust recalls that when the matter earlier came up for hearing on December 10, the court was told that the charge was first filed on March 6, 2019 with 11 defendants listed and ever since the filing, the defendants have never been in court culminating into an application for a bench warrant which was granted by the court.

The court was told that only two out of the 11 defendants were arrested pursuant to the order of the court, leading to the amended charge against the two. (Daily Trust)