An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has granted prayer by the Department of State Services (DSS) to remand leader of a Benin-based Marxist group, Talakawa Movement, Kola Edokpayi.
Blueprint reports that the Service arrested Edokpayi and four others on April 30, 2025 for allegedly planning to stage a rally in support of leader of Burkina Faso’s military junta, Ibrahim Traore.
The DSS arraigned Edokpayi and one of his associates, Monday, on a one-count charge of unlawful procession which, according to the service, is contrary to section 63 (1)(b) of the criminal law of Edo state law, 2022.
In his, ruling, Justice Anthony Nosa Erahabor, stated that four days was sufficient for the service to conclude it’s investigations. He added that the DSS consider granting the defendants administrative bail.
By the administrative bail, Edokpayi and his associate are required to be reporting to the DSS office on specific days. The matter was adjourned to the 8th of May, 2025.
A security source stated that Talakawa Movement exploited various social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, to mobilise youth across the state for the rally.