Court Acquits 50 Alleged IPOB Members of Terrorism Charges
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on charges of terrorism.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) failed to present any credible evidence to support the allegations against the defendants. He upheld the defendants' no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution could not establish any link between them and the charges brought forward. Consequently, the court struck out the three-count charge against them.
The case was filed by the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that the defendants were involved in acts of terrorism. According to the prosecution, the individuals were arrested on December 12, 2023, in Umunze Village, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, after being intercepted by the police and local vigilantes.
The charges claimed the group was found inside a 911 truck with registration number XA-139 BDN and in possession of items such as black, red, and orange caps bearing IPOB emblems, as well as charms allegedly intended to grant them "spiritual powers of disappearance." The police argued their assembly was aimed at promoting illegality and terrorizing residents of Anambra State, violating Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Omotosho dismissed these claims, emphasizing the lack of substantive evidence and reinforcing the principle that allegations must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
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