A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday has discharged and acquitted 50 people accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and standing trial on terrorism-related charges.
Recall that in December 2023, about 50 individuals including women and children were intercepted and arrested by the police and accused of being IPOB members.
The judgment was delivered on by Justice James Omotosho, stated that the prosecution failed to provide proper evidence linking them to the allegations.
He said, “The prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against the defendants. The evidence presented failed to prove any connection between the accused and the allegations of terrorism leveled against them.
“The court must consider whether the essential elements of the alleged offence have been proven, whether there is evidence linking the defendants to the offence, or if the prosecution’s evidence has been so discredited under cross-examination that it would be unsafe to convict based on it.
“According to prosecution witnesses, the defendants were arrested while traveling in a truck and claimed to be attending a burial. However, they could not provide the name of the deceased or the person who invited them. This alone cannot substantiate claims of terrorism.”
The judge said, the defendants acted peacefully during their arrest and dismissed allegations that the defendants engaged in a gunfight with police officers.
Justice Omotosho said, “This case appears to be a trumped-up charge against individuals who were simply unfortunate to be arrested together. The prosecution’s case was flimsy and lacked substance.
“The prosecution has failed to establish any case against the defendants. Their no-case submission is upheld, and they are hereby discharged and acquitted of all charges.”