|
Listen to article
|
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is appealing to the appellate court, requesting that it overturn the entirety of the ruling issued by the late former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, which declared its activities illegal in Nigeria on September 15, 2017. IPOB contends that this ruling was unjust and detrimental to their cause.
Following an ex parte motion filed by Abubakar Malami (SAN), the former Attorney General of the Federation, the trial court issued a proscription order against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on behalf of the Federal Government. This decision marked a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on groups advocating for self-determination in the region.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati issued a ruling declaring all activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) illegal, especially concerning the group’s presence in the South East and South-South regions of Nigeria. This landmark decision highlights the court’s alignment with the government’s stance on maintaining order and stability in these areas.
The court further issued a restraining order, prohibiting any person or collective from taking part in the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This measure is intended to uphold the ruling declaring the group’s actions illegal and to prevent any potential escalation of tensions within the affected regions.
He restrained any person or group of persons from participating in any of the group’s activities.
He further held that IPOB constituted a threat to national security while he dismissed the argument that the group, not being a registered entity in Nigeria, could not be validly sued by the Federal Government.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati held that the fact that IPOB claimed that it was registered in over 40 countries in the world aside from Nigeria did not exculpate it from legal liabilities if it was found to have, by its activities, violated any law in Nigeria.
The late CJ directed the AGF to publish the order proscribing the group in two national dailies and an online platform.
Read also: Military Confirms Custody Of IPOB ‘Founder’, Commanders
On January 22, 2018, the court rendered a decision to dismiss a motion from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which sought to challenge the legal grounds of a proscription order imposed on them. The group alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had covertly obtained the order, raising significant concerns about the judicial process involved in its issuance.
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Hamma Barka, announced on Thursday that it would adjourn its ruling on IPOB’s appeal, referenced as CA/A/214/2018. The adjournment followed the submission and adoption of final addresses by counsel for both the Federal Government and IPOB, who had consolidated their briefs for the proceedings.
For the proceedings, Mr. Oyilade Koleosho from the Federal Ministry of Justice served as the representative for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), while Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh (SAN) took on the role of counsel for IPOB.
