An Ebonyi State High Court in Abakaliki has discharged and acquitted 36 pro-Biafra activists who had been held in detention for over four years, according to a statement from Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ejiofor announced the ruling on Friday in Owerri, recounting the challenges encountered in securing the release of the detainees, all of whom were from Ebonyi State.
Initially arrested in 2020, the 36 activists were charged with murder in case No. HAB/29c/2021.
However, the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence, leading the defense to file a “No Case Submission.”
As a result, the court dismissed the charges and acquitted the activists on September 27, 2022.
Despite their acquittal, the Biafra activists were re-arrested and arraigned under a new charge, No. HAB/43c/2022, which included allegations of unlawful possession of firearms, robbery, unlawful association, arson, conduct likely to incite public disturbance, and engaging in warlike actions.
Once again, the prosecution could not substantiate these claims, prompting the defense to submit another “No Case Submission.” The court subsequently acquitted the activists on December 22, 2023.
While the second case was still pending, the prosecution initiated a third charge, No. HAB/59c/2022, accusing the activists of armed robbery, leading to their continued detention despite previous court orders for their release.
After the completion of this third trial, the court ruled in favor of the defense’s “No Case Submission” on September 27, 2024, once again discharging and acquitting all 36 detainees.
Despite these rulings, prison authorities have refused to release the activists, citing a new case filed at the Ikwo High Court. Ejiofor condemned these actions as an attempt to deny the activists their rightful freedom, despite multiple acquittals.
He urged Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to intervene and halt what he described as a “mockery of the judicial process,” warning that the state’s continued actions could harm its reputation on the international stage.
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