The Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, presided over by Magistrate Abdullahi Ahmed Ilelah, on Monday adjourned ruling on the bail application of prominent Niger Delta activist, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous, to July 24, 2025.
The adjournment followed arguments in court after Defence Counsel, Benneth J. Ebikon, Esq., of S. M. Oyeghe Legal, moved an application seeking bail for the defendant. The Prosecution Counsel opposed the motion orally, leading the court to fix a new date to deliver its ruling.
Also present in court was Dickson S., who appeared watching brief for the nominal complainant, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
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Tensions have been building around the high-profile case, with concerns mounting over repeated adjournments since the matter first came up on June 23, 2025. A Niger Delta advocate who spoke to SaharaReporters after Monday’s proceedings expressed frustration, saying:
“This matter came up on June 23, 2025, and an attempt to move for the defendant’s bail orally was refused by the Magistrate, who hinted that an earlier date would be given if a formal motion was filed. A formal motion was filed on June 26, 2025, and an application made to the Court for an earlier date. Sadly, the Court refused to give an earlier date, insisting parties return on July 14, 2025. And today, the same Court is adjourning for another 10 days, to rule on a motion for bail in a bailable offence.”
A source familiar with the case has alleged that the series of adjournments are part of attempts by Dr. Otuaro to silence critics who have exposed alleged corruption within the Amnesty Office under his leadership.
“We are aware that this is one of the desperate steps taken by Dr. Dennis Otuaro to silence critics who attempt to expose the wide-scale corruption in the Amnesty Office under his leadership, including payment of public funds into private accounts, award of contracts to crony companies, breach of the Procurement Act, among others,” the source claimed.
The bail ruling is now expected on July 24, 2025.