The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the decision that declares the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organization. In a ruling delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel led by Justice Hamma Barka affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which banned the group’s activities in Nigeria.
The court ruled that the Federal Government actedcted lawfully by proscribing IPOB, citing concerns over national security.
“We find no reason to set aside the order obtained by the Federal Government against the group,” the appellate court stated.
The court dismissed IPOB’s appeal, describing it as “lacking in merit.” It upheld the Federal Government’s claim that IPOB’s activities posed a threat to national security and the continued existence of Nigeria.
This ruling means that IPOB remains an illegal organization in the country, and anyone participating in its activities could face legal action.
The legal battle over IPOB’s status began in September 2017, when the late Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, issued an order banning the group.
The ruling came after the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, filed an ex-parte motion on behalf of the Federal Government. The court declared all IPOB activities illegal, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati further ordered that “no person or group of persons should participate in IPOB’s activities.”
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He also directed the AGF to publish the proscription order in the official government gazette and two national newspapers.
In January 2018, IPOB filed a motion challenging the proscription order, arguing that the Federal Government obtained it “through deception.” However, the court dismissed the motion, upholding its earlier decision.
Refusing to accept the ruling, IPOB took the case to the Court of Appeal, asking for the proscription to be overturned. Through its lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh, SAN, the group alleged that the then AGF misrepresented facts before the court.
IPOB argued that the proscription order wrongly labeled over 30 million Igbo people as terrorists.
With this latest ruling, IPOB remains banned in Nigeria, and its members could face prosecution under the country’s anti-terror laws. The decision is expected to spark debates, especially in the South-East, where IPOB enjoys significant support.
For now, the Federal Government maintains its stance that IPOB’s activities pose a serious threat to the nation’s security, and the courts have once again backed this position.