Abuja – The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused bail for alleged terrorism financier and illegal oil bunkering kingpin, Ugochukwu Lucky Ibekwe, despite claims of his critical health condition.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, delivering the ruling on Wednesday, said while the defendant requires medical attention, the court was not convinced that such care could not be administered while he remains in custody during trial.
“In my opinion, even though the defendant requires medical attention, this can be done while in custody,” the judge held, dismissing the application.
Justice Ibrahim, however, directed the Federal Government to ensure Mr Ibekwe receives adequate medical care through his consultant and has unrestricted access to his lawyer, Damian Okoro, SAN, and family members.
The judge noted that the severity of the alleged offences influenced his decision, having carefully considered the exhibits before the court, including a medical report from Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre.
Following the ruling, prosecutor Victor Alma informed the court of a motion by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, seeking an order for in-camera proceedings and witness protection.
The matter was adjourned to July 17 for hearing of the motion and July 24 for ruling and trial commencement.
Mr Ibekwe, also known as Chief Onwa, faces prosecution for allegedly causing the deaths of over 500 persons and orchestrating economic sabotage through large-scale oil bunkering operations.
The defendant is accused of tampering with oil pipelines, siphoning crude oil, and operating illegal refineries without appropriate licences across multiple states, including Rivers and Abia.
The charges also include allegations of bribing a public officer with N2 million to secure exoneration and receiving N1 million from one Musa Mohammed for permission to illegally tap pipelines.
The prosecution alleges that Mr Ibekwe conspired with others still at large between 1999 and 2025 to operate illegal refining sites in the Imo River Community, Abia State.
The offences contravene Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and are punishable under Section 1(17)(a)(b) of the same Act.
The court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on economic sabotage cases, which have cost the nation billions in lost revenue and environmental degradation.