Defense lawyers and family members say the accused had gathered for a simple soccer match — but the tournament was organized by an outlawed separatist group, and now 53 people face the death penalty on charges of treason and plotting war. At a hearing Tuesday, 52 of the defendants crowded onto wooden benches or sat on the floor of a stuffy courtroom, many still in the soccer uniforms they were wearing when they were arrested. Jailed for half a year in the case involving Biafran separatists, they asked to be granted bail. The judge was to rule on the bail request April 11. Full Story