They are to face treason charges. The disclosure came as MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, now avoid newsmen in compliance with a Federal High Court order restraining him from making public statements including granting press interviews.

Though it was not disclosed whether the MASSOB activists were arrested at any formal gathering of the group, the Director of SSS, Mr. Alex Amechina as well as the police command’s spokesman, Mr. Chike Nwabuwa, had told Daily Champion last week that the men were planning to declare a Republic of Biafra last Thursday and their arrest was to stop the action.

The SSS boss said the MASSOB coordinators will be charged with treason.

Speaking with Daily Champion yesterday in his office, Mr. Nwabuwa confirmed that the command will take the 20 men to court today.

"They would have appeared in court on (Monday) yesterday but we are waiting for the preparation of the legal department.

They will now appear on Tuesday (today) at the magistrate’s court," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Uwazuruike declined comments on the matter when Daily Champion contacted him at the weekend, saying that he is under bond not to talk to the press.

Federal High Court sitting in Owerri had also restrained the SSS and the police from arresting and harassing the MASSOB leader pending the determination of original application filed by him against the security outfits over the invasion of his residence in Okwe, Onuimo council area of Imo State, last October.