Terrorism: Federal High Court Proscribes IPOB
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday declared as illegal the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria particularly in the South-east and South-south geo-political zones.
The Court presided over by the Acting Chief Judge of the Court, Justice Adamu Kafarati therefore granted an order proscribing the organisation
The court also restrained “any person or group of persons from participating in any of the group’s activities.”
Justice Kafarati, after hearing an ex-parte application filed and argued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, granted the order declaring IPOD an illegal organisation.
The court therefore directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure the publication of the proscription order of IPOD in the official gazette and two national newspapers.
The Order of granted by Justice Kafarati read as follows:
“That 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 illegality, is granted.
“That an order, 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, is granted.
“That an order, 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, is granted.”
The minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, was accompanied to Federal High Court by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr. Tayo Apata, the Acting Director of Civil Litigation, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru and some lawyers in the Federal Ministry of Justice.
