BREAKING: Court Bars Mike Nwaukoni From Overseas Trip Amid Terrorism Trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba has firmly rejected an application by Mr. Mike Nwaukoni, the 5th Defendant in Charge No. FHC/ASB/18C/2024, seeking the temporary release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad for what prosecutors described as a suspicious and unsupported “medical check-up” and family wedding trip.

The ruling has been widely interpreted by observers as a major setback to what the prosecution described as a calculated attempt to stall the ongoing criminal trial and possibly evade justice.

In a strongly worded opposition filed by counsel to the Inspector General of Police, the prosecution argued that the application was “speculative, unsupported, and dangerous to the administration of justice,” warning the Court that releasing the passport for a proposed 12-week foreign trip would effectively suspend the criminal proceedings and expose the Court to the risk of the Defendant absconding.

The prosecution specifically warned the Court that:

> “12 weeks is sufficient to seek asylum or citizenship particularly as the prosecution has laid out most of the evidence before the Honourable Court.”

The Federal High Court was told that despite seeking permission to travel from June to August 2026, Mike Nwaukoni failed to produce any genuine medical appointment, referral, emergency treatment schedule, or evidence showing that any treatment could not be handled in Nigeria.

Prosecuting counsel from the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters Abuja, argued that the application was merely:

* “A camouflaged attempt at delay,”
* “A disruption of trial continuity,” and
* “An abuse of court process.”

The prosecution further pointed out that the only wedding referenced in the application was scheduled for August 29, 2026 — a period during the Court’s vacation — making the request to suspend criminal proceedings for nearly three months highly suspicious.

The Court was also reminded that Mike Nwaukoni’s passport was originally deposited as part of his bail conditions to secure his attendance at trial and prevent any possibility of escape.

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In opposing the application, the prosecution relied heavily on the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, emphasizing the legal obligation for speedy criminal trials and the continuous presence of defendants during proceedings.

Meanwhile, dramatic testimony also unfolded in court as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) attached to the Delta State Police Command testified before the Court regarding the findings of the investigation into the violent palace attack which forms part of the charges before the Federal High Court.

According to the IPO’s testimony, investigations confirmed that Mike Nwaukoni allegedly summoned and mobilized the mob that stormed the Obi’s Palace despite repeated warnings not to proceed to the palace.

The police officer reportedly narrated how the attack led to:

* Multiple persons being shot and seriously wounded,
* Vehicles being vandalized and destroyed,
* Panic and fear spreading across the Ogwashi-Uku community, and
* A major breakdown of public peace and security.

Court observers described the testimony as explosive.

In what many inside the courtroom described as a surprising development, the defence team — reportedly consisting of over 15 lawyers — declined to proceed with cross-examination of the IPO after the testimony.

The defence lawyers allegedly informed the Court that one of their absent colleagues, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was not present and they therefore did not wish to continue.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 4, 2026, for continuation of trial.