FCT Court Adjourns Bail Ruling For Niger Delta Activist Owous Accused Of Defaming Amnesty Boss—repeated adjournments are part of a desperate attempt by Dr. Otuaro to silence critics who expose corruption in the Amnesty — Source
By koromene Yebomene
The adjournment came after the Defence Counsel, Benneth J. Ebikon Esq of S. M. Oyeghe Legal moved his application for the bail of the defendant, which was orally opposed by the Prosecution Counsel.
Magistrate Abdullahi Ahmed Ilelah of the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, sitting in Dutsen, on Monday, adjourned the ruling on the bail application of popular Niger-Delta Activist, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous, to July 24, 2025.
The adjournment came after the Defence Counsel, Benneth J. Ebikon Esq of S. M. Oyeghe Legal moved his application for the bail of the defendant, which was orally opposed by the Prosecution Counsel.
Dickson S. was in court, watching brief for nominal complainant, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
A concerned Niger-Delta advocate who spoke to SaharaReporters shortly after the court sitting, expressed worry over the repeated adjournments, 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.”
The advocate further stated, “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 bail offence.”
A source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the repeated adjournments are part of a desperate attempt by Dr. Otuaro to silence critics who expose corruption in the Amnesty Office under his leadership.
The source claimed, “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 procurement Act, among others.”
