Court Affirms Declaration Of IPOB As Terrorists Group

The Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, heard and granted the exparte motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his chambers.

Besides the declaration of IPOB as terrorist organization, the court also restrained “any person or group of persons from participating in any of the group’s activities”.

Justice Kafarati ordered the federal government to publish the court order on IPOB proscription in its official gazette and two national dailies.

In his motion for  an exparte order, the federal government had prayed the court for “an order, declaring the activities of the respondent – Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) – in any part of Nigeria especially in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria amount to acts of terrorism and illegallity, is granted”.

It also prayed for an of  the court “proscribing the existence of the respondent (IPOB) in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-South regions of Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazette and two national dailies” an order which was granted.

Finally, the AGF also  sought for an order of the court “restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent (IPOB) under any other name or platform however called or described” be granted.

Malami (SAN) led  the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Tayo Apata; Acting Director, Civil Litigation, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru; T. A. Gazali, Oyin Koleosho and other lawyers in the Federal Ministry of Justice to the court.

In his submission, Malami argued that IPOB has all the ingredients of a terrorist organization and indeed exhibited acts of terrorism in the country by forming its own army , intelligence organisation, importation of arms and confronting the troops of the Nigerian Army on their duty post as well as attempting to seize their rifles.

Last week, the federal government had placed a terroism tag on IPOB, even as the governors of the South East also placed a ban on the acitivies of the group in the region.

A lot of controversies trailed the activities of the secessionist group, while some persons lauded the decision of the federal government and the South East governors on the matter, others condemned it, saying the federal government and the governors have no power to take such decision.