The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

At the sitting, which commenced at about 1:46pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave to have it read to the defendants.

Proceedings were briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.

When the court reconvened at about 2:18 pm, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.

Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case, a request that was not opposed by most defence counsel, although the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.

Ruling, the trial judge ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter till April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Cross River State Government have confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in the state, activating emergency response measures while assuring residents there is no cause for panic.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the NCDC said the confirmed case had been isolated and was being managed in line with national treatment guidelines.

“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the agency stated.

Providing further details earlier in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed that the case involved a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working in a company in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

“The confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works in a company at Akamkpa Local Government Area,” Ayuk said.

He explained that the patient initially presented mild symptoms and was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were collected and the infection confirmed.

“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” he added.

The commissioner noted that the government delayed public announcement until diagnostic protocols were completed to avoid misinformation, while reassuring residents of their safety.

“The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread,” Ayuk said.

The NCDC noted that, following confirmation, coordinated response measures were immediately activated in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and development partners.

“Following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with NCDC and with support from partners, has activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control,” the statement read.

Health authorities said all identified contacts were being actively monitored, with no indication of further spread.

“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the NCDC added.

The State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, described the development as an outbreak by definition, noting that even a single confirmed case triggers emergency protocols.

“With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre,” she said.

Ekpenyong added that rapid response teams had been deployed to Akamkpa LGA, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed persons were ongoing within the virus’s incubation period of two to 14 days.

She noted that the case was the first officially recorded COVID-19 incident in the state since 2022, attributing the low visibility of infections in recent years to vaccination coverage and the prevalence of mild or unreported cases.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated efforts between the state government and partners, including the World Health Organisation.

WHO State Coordinator, Olatunde Rebecca, stressed the importance of sustained surveillance and risk communication, warning against misinformation.

“COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face masks, and physical distancing remain critical,” she said.

Rebecca added that efforts were ongoing, in collaboration with national authorities, to determine the specific strain involved in the current case.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Bassey, said the state has significantly improved its outbreak response capacity, enabling early detection and rapid containment.

Meanwhile, the NCDC emphasised that Nigeria’s surveillance systems remain active and effective.

“We continue to maintain routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. The detection of this case reflects that these systems remain functional and responsive,” the agency said.

Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case in February 2020, prompting a nationwide response led by the NCDC.

Although cases have significantly declined since the height of the pandemic, public health experts say sporadic infections are expected due to global travel and ongoing virus circulation.

Health officials stress that early detection, rapid response, and sustained surveillance—such as those deployed in Cross River—remain critical to preventing widespread outbreaks in the post-pandemic phase.