Court Clears Suspected Terror Suspect, Mike Nwaukoni, For UK Trip, Gives Tough Conditions

Court Clears Suspected Terror Suspect, Mike Nwaukoni, For UK Trip, Gives Tough Conditions

The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba on the 8th of December, 2025 delivered a ruling that sent a ripple through the courtroom and beyond, as Honourable Justice Olufunmilola Agbaje ordered the temporary release of the international passport of Mr. Mike Nwaukoni, one of the defendants standing trial over grave allegations bordering on terrorism, attempted murder and the orchestration of communal war.

Mr. Nwaukoni had approached the court by motion, seeking the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for a two-week period to attend the graduation ceremony of his son, Pascal Nwaukoni, scheduled to hold at the City of St George’s University, London, located at Barbican Central, Silk Street, London—a destination clearly outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Asaba.

The application was, however, vigorously opposed by the prosecution, led by Godwin Uangbaoje Esq, who appeared on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police. In a strongly worded counter-affidavit, the prosecution urged the court to refuse the request, contending that Mr. Nwaukoni was a flight risk, a danger to society, and a suspect currently under investigation for additional serious crimes beyond those already before the court.

After listening to detailed submissions from both sides, including arguments by E. L. Akpofure, SAN, counsel to the Defendant/Applicant, Justice Agbaje granted the application—but not without conditions that many observers in court described as very stringent.

In her ruling, the learned trial judge ordered that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing Mr. Nwaukoni must personally execute a written and signed undertaking to produce the defendant before the court on the next adjourned date. In addition, Mr. Nwaukoni himself was directed to sign a formal undertaking committing to return his international passport to the court not later than three (3) days after his return from the United Kingdom.

The court further ordered the Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court to formally notify the Nigerian Immigration Service, mandating it to closely monitor Mr. Nwaukoni’s movement in and out of the country throughout the duration of the trip.
Justice Agbaje issued a stern warning that any breach whatsoever of the conditions attached to the temporary release of the passport would result in the immediate revocation of Mr. Nwaukoni’s bail and his remand in prison custody.

The case itself continues to attract intense public attention. Mr. Nwaukoni is standing trial alongside four other suspects on charges relating to terrorism, attempted murder and the deliberate instigation of communal unrest. Proceedings have already moved into substantive trial, with a senior police commander who was present at the scene of the alleged incident having testified for the prosecution.

During his testimony, the police commander told the court that Mr. Nwaukoni allegedly arrived at the palace with a mob of miscreants, thugs and fully armed men, leading to a violent confrontation. Under cross-examination, the witness further confirmed that he knew Mr. Nwaukoni very well and disclosed that barely a week before the commencement of trial, he had been invited to Mr. Nwaukoni’s private residence, alongside the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), shortly before he was due to give evidence in court.

With the passport now released under tight judicial surveillance, all eyes remain on whether the defendant will strictly comply with the court’s conditions and not run away from his trial—or risk being taken into custody as the high-stakes terrorism trial resumes.

Court Clears Suspected Terror Suspect, Mike Nwaukoni, For UK Trip, Gives Tough Conditions