Friday, 27 October 2023 04:59

Court nullifies FG’s proscription of IPOB, says ‘self-determination not a crime’

Rate this item
(0 votes)

An Enugu High Court, presided over by Anthony Onovo, has voided the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.

The Federal Government under Muhammadu Buhari had, in 2017, proscribed the secessionist group, while the leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was clamped into detention.

The court, yesterday, also declared that self-determination was not a crime and should not, therefore, be used as a basis to arrest, detain and prosecute the IPOB leader.

Kanu, through his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, had in January this year, approached the court to seek nullification of the proscription and terrorist tag on the group, based on the fact that it is a registered organisation with membership exercising their right of association.

He had sought de-listing of the organisation as a terrorist group in line with the provisions of the African Charter and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as restraining the government from proceeding with criminal proceedings against Kanu.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Onovo agreed that the African Charter is binding on Nigerian courts.

He declared that in practical application of the Terrorism Prevention Act, the executive or administrative action of the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) and the Federal Government, which directly led to the proscription of IPOB, its listing as a terrorist group and the consequent arrest, detention and prosecution of Kanu is illegal, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of his fundamental right.

The judge ordered the Federal Government and South East governors to issue official letter(s) of apology to Kanu for the infringement of his fundamental rights; and publication of the letter(s) in three national dailies.

The court awarded jointly or severally N8 billion to Kanu as monetary damages claimed against the Federal Government and South East governors for the physical, psychological, property and other damages he suffered as a result of the infringements on his fundamental rights.

Ejimakor commended the court as the last hope of the common man.
He stated: “We are grateful that justice has prevailed over this matter since 2017. The court has reaffirmed the hopes of the common man in the judiciary. You have saved thousands of lives.”

 

The Guardian

March 16, 2025

Petrol price war drives marketers to reduce purchases as losses mount

A price war between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL)…
March 16, 2025

El-Rufai speaks further on Tinubu’s presidency, Chicago scandal, other issues

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that he and other political leaders were…
March 14, 2025

How leaders train themselves to rethink and adapt faster

Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio Recognizing the value of rethinking is one thing—making it a habit is another.…
March 01, 2025

Man offers to split $525,000 jackpot with thieves who stole his credit card to buy…

A Frenchman appealed to the homeless thieves who stole his credit card to buy a…
March 14, 2025

Gunmen invade Kaduna communities, abduct 10

Suspected bandits have abducted ten villagers from three remote communities in Kajuru Local Government Area…
March 16, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 527

Freed Israeli hostage speaks for the first time about his 505 days of surviving Hamas…
March 15, 2025

Humanoid robot with human-like competence unveiled in China

Du Qiongfang Humanoid robot manufacturer AgiBot in Shanghai unveiled on Tuesday its latest humanoid robot…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.