PORT HARCOURT — The Federal Government has opened prosecution against Chief Gani Uebari Topba, Leader and Spokesman of the Conscience of Ogoni People, COP, over allegations bordering on terrorism, cybercrime, and attempts to seize and detain oil wells across Ogoniland.
Topba is standing before a four-count charge at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The court has fixed September 3, 2026, for his bail application and further proceedings.
The Department of State Services had arrested and detained Topba on the instruction of the Federal Government. He was first arraigned on August 19 but was remanded in DSS custody until Monday's court sitting.
What He Is Accused Of
According to the charge sheet, Topba allegedly pushed to seize and hold onto all oil wells in Ogoniland as leverage to force the Federal Government to shut out Shell Petroleum Development Company, now rebranded as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, and its affiliates from oil-related contracts in the area.
He is also accused of backing an act of terrorism by producing and circulating a video the prosecution says maligned the leadership of KAGOTE, allegedly with intent to destabilise the political, economic, and social fabric of Ogoniland, Rivers State, and the country at large, and to reignite the crisis that rocked Ogoniland in 1994.
A fourth count alleges he deliberately made and published a video through a computer system to bully or harass the President-General of KAGOTE, Chief Lesi Maol, and the organisation's leadership, placing them in fear for their lives or safety. That charge was brought under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The third count further alleges that between May and August 2026, Topba insisted on seizing and detaining Ogoniland's oil wells to pressure the Federal Government into excluding Shell/Renaissance and its affiliates from oil dealings in the region, an offence the prosecution says falls under Section 24 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Not Guilty Plea, Bail Fight Ahead
Topba, who also sits on the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, pleaded not guilty to all four counts when they were read to him.
After his plea, DSS counsel A.A. Emefianna asked the court for an adjournment to allow the prosecution respond to the bail application filed by Topba's lawyer, Golden Awi. Awi did not object but told the court his team has been struggling to gain access to their client.
Justice Muhammed Turaki directed the DSS counsel to resolve the access difficulties with the defence team and adjourned the matter to September 3 for the bail hearing and continuation of trial.
