Federal High Court Acquits 50 Alleged IPOB Members of Terrorism Charges
By John Joseph
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In a landmark ruling, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, of terrorism charges. The accused were alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group proscribed by the Nigerian government ¹.
The court’s decision was based on the failure of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to establish credible evidence linking the defendants to the charges against them. Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution did not present sufficient proof to connect the accused to acts of terrorism, upholding the defendants’ no-case submission and striking out the three-count charge.
The allegations, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, claimed that the defendants were arrested on December 12, 2023, in Umunze Village, Anambra State, while allegedly engaging in a gathering related to acts of terrorism. The police also alleged that the defendants were in possession of items such as caps emblazoned with the IPOB emblem and charms purportedly used for spiritual purposes.
The acquittal of the 50 alleged IPOB members is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the group’s activities. The Nigerian government had proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization in 2017, but a High Court in Enugu State nullified the proscription in 2023, declaring it unconstitutional.
The case highlights the need for the Nigerian government to ensure that the rights of all citizens, including those accused of terrorism, are protected and upheld. The acquittal of the 50 alleged IPOB members serves as a reminder that the rule of law must be respected and that the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
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