The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand of Ogoni activist, Gani Uebari Topba, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations bordering on cyberstalking and a video concerning the leadership of the KAGOTE organisation.
The prosecution alleged that Topba published a video on August 10, 2026, two days after a KAGOTE meeting in Port Harcourt, in which he allegedly made disparaging remarks about the organisation’s leadership.
According to the prosecution, the publication was capable of causing the President-General of KAGOTE, as well as other leaders and members of the organisation, to fear for their lives or safety.
Topba is also facing allegations relating to his position on oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland. The Federal Government alleged that, between May and August 2026, he advocated the seizure and detention of oil wells in the area as a means of compelling the government to exclude Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, now Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, and its affiliates from oil-related contracts in Ogoniland.
The allegations are brought under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Following proceedings, the court ordered that Topba remain in DSS custody and adjourned the matter until August 28, 2026, for further proceedings.
The case comes amid heightened tensions and disagreements in Ogoniland over the proposed resumption of oil production, the ongoing Ogoni dialogue process and the role of KAGOTE in the discussions.
The allegations against Topba remain matters before the court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
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