Federal High Court Acquits 50 Suspected IPOB Members of Terrorism Charges in Abuja
ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja discharged and acquitted 50 individuals who were facing terrorism-related charges linked to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice James Omotosho presided over the case and upheld a no-case submission filed by the defendants, concluding that the prosecution had failed to present any credible evidence connecting them to the accusations.
While announcing the judgment, Justice Omotosho stated, “The prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against the defendants. The evidence submitted did not substantiate any ties between the accused and the terrorism allegations made against them.”
The judge clarified that the criteria for considering a no-case submission, as outlined in Section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, requires the court to evaluate whether the essential elements of the alleged offense have been demonstrated, if there is evidence linking defendants to the crime, and whether the prosecution’s evidence has been discredited during cross-examination.
He pointed out that the prosecution’s only evidence was the defendants’ arrest in a truck, which did not prove any engagement in terrorist activities. “Witnesses for the prosecution testified that the individuals were detained while traveling in a truck to attend a burial, yet they were unable to name the deceased or the individual who invited them, which fails to support claims of terrorism,” he explained.
Moreover, the court dismissed allegations that the defendants had opened fire on police officers during their apprehension, indicating a lack of evidence to implicate them. “The defendants, including women and the elderly, remained peaceful during their arrest. The items seized—such as calabashes, cowries, red cloth, and figurines—are traditional cultural artifacts rather than weapons associated with terrorism,” Justice Omotosho noted.
He also addressed the conspiracy charges, stating that the prosecution did not demonstrate any intent or agreement among the defendants to engage in unlawful activities. The judge remarked, “This case appears to be a fabricated charge against people who were unfortunate enough to be arrested together. The prosecution’s case was weak and lackluster.”
The Inspector-General of Police had previously accused the 50 defendants of gathering in a truck while allegedly engaging in terrorist activities, asserting that they possessed caps and charms supposedly linked to IPOB. However, the court dismissed these charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
In concluding the proceedings, Justice Omotosho discharged and acquitted all defendants, stating, “The prosecution has not established any case against the defendants. Their no-case submission is upheld, and they are hereby discharged and acquitted of all charges.”
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