Court Clears 50 Alleged IPOB Members Of Terrorism Charges Due To Lack Of Evidence

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 50 persons accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and charged with terrorism.

In his ruling on Friday, Justice Omotosho stated that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) failed to present any substantial evidence to support the charges against the defendants, which included four women.

The judge upheld the defendants’ no-case submission, emphasizing that the prosecution could not establish a credible link between the accused and the alleged crimes.

As a result, the court dismissed the three charges filed against the group.

The case, initiated by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), stemmed from an incident on December 12, 2023, in Umunze Village, Uga Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the charges, police officers and local vigilantes reportedly intercepted and arrested the individuals based on intelligence reports.

The defendants were allegedly found traveling in a 911 truck with registration number XA-139 BDN and were accused of gathering for activities connected to terrorism.

Authorities claimed they possessed 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange caps adorned with IPOB emblems, along with charms purportedly meant to give them “spiritual powers” for evading capture during alleged terrorist activities.

The police further argued that the gathering aimed to promote unlawful acts intended to terrorize Anambra State residents, claiming it violated Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Despite these accusations, the court found the evidence insufficient, leading to the acquittal of all 50 defendants.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian Army recently raided camps of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra State, and arrested nine suspected criminals.