From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has discharged and acquitted 50 suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of terrorism allegations.
The suspects, including four women, were arrested on December 12, 2023, at Umunze Village in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, by operatives of the State Police Command, led by Collins Eruogwu, in collaboration with a local vigilante group.
A charge sheet, dated January 10 and filed on February 9, claimed that the defendants had assembled inside a 911 truck with registration number XA-139 BDN, allegedly engaged in a meeting connected to acts of terrorism.
The police further alleged that they were in possession of 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange caps, all bearing IPOB emblems, as well as charms purportedly designed to grant the “spiritual power of disappearing while carrying out terrorist transactions.”
Contending that their gathering aimed to promote illegality and terrorise residents of Anambra State, the three-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, stated that their action contravened Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, saying the Nigeria Police Force had not provided credible evidence linking the accused to the charges filed against them.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho struck out the three-count, preferred against the defendants.
