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Symbol of justice
The Federal High Court in Enugu presided over by Justice Dorcas Agish, yesterday refused to grant the bail application by members of the pro-Biafran group, Biafran Zionist Federation (BZF), who have been in prison custody for about 10 months.
The leader of the group, Ben Onwuka, and 10 others have been standing trial for treason since September 2014 when they were moved from Abuja to Enugu after staying in detention for five months.
They were arrested for allegedly trying to burn down the Enugu State Broadcasting Service after failing in their bid to declare the rebirth of the Republic of Biafra.
In the presence of security operatives  scattered across the court premises as well as inside the court hall, Justice Agishi, the trial judge, failed to grant the bail application moved by the defence counsel to the accused, Olu Omotayo.

Justice Agishi, while delivering her judgment on the bail application, declined to grant the bail sought by the defence counsel because of the prevailing political climate in the country as well as the fact that she could not guarantee that when granted bail, the accused would not continue with their agitation.
The case was therefore adjourned till March 19 for commencement of trial.
Counsel to the pro-Biafran Group, Olu Omotayo, expressed disappointment for not getting bail for his clients who he described as ‘peaceful, non-violent freedom fighters.
Omotayo said he would consult with his clients on the way forward in the case.
“I am disappointed that the court could not grant them bail.  However, I’ll consult with my clients on the way forward as the case has been adjourned till March 19,” Omotayo said.
Also, the National Coordinator of the Biafran Zionist Federation, BZF, Gilbert Ogbu and the National Chairman of the Group, Cyril Onyia, said they were highly disappointed that their men could not get bail especially as they are a non-violent group.
“We are annoyed about the court ruling.  This is Nigeria’s way of handling the Igbo case. We are a peaceful organisation.  We don’t fight anybody or cause havoc.  We want the world to know that our aim for fighting is our liberation,” they noted.