Court Frees 50 IPOB Members

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

About 50 suspected Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, members were, on Friday, November 29, 2024, let off the hook by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Suspects comprising young and the old, men and women were rounded up in Anambra State, and have been in detention in Abuja  since December 1, 2023.

A statement from the lead counsel to  the IPOB,  Ifeanyi Ejiofor ,said the discharge of the suspects, one year after their incarceration calls for celebration by the people.

Ejiofor noted that all 50 persons were arrested by security agencies in Anambra State while on their way to a burial ceremony on December 1, 2023.

Since then, he stated, they have been in detention in Abuja ,where they were all bundled to and subsequently slammed with terrorism charges.

The IPOB Counsel informed that the court discharged and acquitted the accused ,while delivering judgment in a no-case-submission which they filed.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja has just discharged and acquitted 50 Biafrans, including young and old men and women who had been illegally held since December 1, 2023.

“This calls not only for celebration, but for victory dance . Recall that these innocent citizens were illegally arrested by overzealous Nigerian Security agents in Anambra State on December 1, 2023 while on their way to participating in a burial ceremony.

“They were then bundled, transported to Abuja and charged with frivolous and unfounded allegations of engaging in terrorism activities and meetings in charge No FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024” Ejiofor noted .

According to him, the matter which was diligently prosecuted by the authorities,with four witnesses presented,was dismissed.

The IPOB legal representative described the ruling delivered by Justice J K Omotosho as incisive, profound and erudite.

“The Court comprehensively,upheld their ( accused) no–case submission and consequently discharged and acquitted these innocent Biafrans on all three counts.

“We will continue to legally intervene to secure the freedom of all innocent Biafrans and oppressed who are being held illegally in various detention facilities across the country.

“We urge all our people to remain law-abiding, as they always have, and to reject any teachings that  promote violence as such ideologies will never prosper in the pursuit of freedom” the IPOB Counsel stated.