Court Grants SSS Request To Remand Talakawa Movement Leader Over Unlawful Rally Plans
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has granted the Department of State Services (DSS) permission to remand in custody the leader of the Benin-based Marxist group, Talakawa Movement, Kola Edokpayi.
A top intelligence source revealed that Edokpayi and four others were arrested on April 30 for allegedly planning to stage a rally in support of Burkina Faso’s military junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré.
Following the arrest, the DSS arraigned Edokpayi and one associate on a one-count charge of unlawful procession, which contravenes Section 63(1)(b) of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.
In his ruling, Justice Anthony Erahabor stated that the DSS would be granted four days to conclude its investigations. He noted that the Service had considered granting the defendants administrative bail.
“By the administrative bail, Edokpayi and his associate are required to report to the DSS office on specific days,” the judge explained.
The matter was adjourned to May 8, 2025, for further proceedings.
An insider also disclosed that the Talakawa Movement had used various social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, to mobilize youths across the state for the rally.
“Investigators discovered that a certain bank account (details withheld) was used to raise large sums of money to support the rally,” the source added.
