IPOB not a terror group, apologize to Kanu – Court orders FG

A High Court in Enugu has declared the proscription and designation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government and the South East Governors as unconstitutional.

The court’s verdict comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by IPOB’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, challenging the 2017 proscription of IPOB.

Justice A. O Onovo, presiding over the case, pronounced that the proscription of IPOB was in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and ordered the Federal Government and the Southeast Governors to issue a joint apology to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, for the infringement of his fundamental rights.

Additionally, the court has mandated the payment of N8 billion in damages to Kanu.

The court’s judgment deemed the arrest, detention, and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu based on his association with IPOB as “illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.”

The ruling also found that the proscription of IPOB contravened Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity.

Aloy Ejimakor, in a statement to the media, hailed the court’s decision as a “landmark victory” for IPOB and its supporters.

He expressed gratitude to his legal team and the supporters of Nnamdi Kanu for their role in achieving this outcome.