Court acquits, discharges 50 alleged  IPOB members of terrorism allegations

By Publisher
Kindly share:

A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted and discharged no fewer than 50 alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, of allegations bordering on terrorism.

Ruling in the matter on Friday, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, held that the Nigerian Police Force totally failed to prove a prima facie case against the defendants, who included four women.

He upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, adding that the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence, linking the defendants with the allegations they were charged for.

Consequently, Justice Omotosho struck out the three-count charge preferred against the defendants, who were accused of gathering themselves inside a 911 truck with Reg No. XA-139 BDN and engaged in a meeting in connection with an act of terrorism

It will be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police had, dragged the 50 defendants to court in a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024.

The defendants allegedly had in their possession 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and 6 orange colour caps, bearing the IPOB insignia as well as various charms.

The police alleged that the defendants gathered to foment acts of terrorism against the Anambra residents, an offence it said contravened Section 12 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.