Terrorism: Court grants Umoh N20m bail, seizes travel document

Harrison Essien

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has granted bail to a United States-based citizen, Zion Eno Umoh, popularly known as Da Zion, who is standing trial on a one count of terrorism.

The court, presided over by Justice Archibong Archibong, admitted Da Zion to bail in the sum of N20m, with two sureties in like sum, who must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court, with evidence of landed property ownership worth N20m.

In his ruling on Thursday, Archibong also listed other bail conditions to include a letter of recognition and identification of the two sureties by prominent citizens residing within the jurisdiction of the court.

Archibong also ordered that the travel documents, including the international passports of the applicant be deposited with the Assistant Chief Registrar of the court and the particulars of the sureties verified by the Assistant Chief Registrar and confirmed by the State Prosecution Counsel before Da Zion Umoh is released from Prison custody.

The court held that the applicant did not refute or counter the averment of the state respondent that he is a flight risk with no residential address within Akwa Ibom State or Nigeria, hence can fly out of the country any time without notice.

Meanwhile, the trial of the applicant in the substantive charge in the suit number HU/7C/2021 between the State and Zion Eno Umoh is slated for 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June, 2021.

Umoh is charged with terrorism, punishable by section 6 subsection 2 of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law.