The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the 2017 proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization.
A three-member panel led by Justice Hamma Barka ruled unanimously that the Federal Government lawfully banned IPOB due to national security concerns.
The court dismissed IPOB’s appeal, stating it lacked merit and reaffirmed the Federal High Court’s ruling outlawing the group’s activities.
Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, issued the proscription order on September 15, 2017.
The decision followed an ex-parte motion by then Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The court declared IPOB’s activities illegal, especially in the South-East and South-South, and prohibited individuals from engaging in or supporting the movement.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati directed the AGF to publish the proscription order in the official gazette and two national newspapers.
In 2018, IPOB challenged the proscription, arguing the Federal Government unfairly obtained the order, but the court dismissed the motion.
Dissatisfied, IPOB appealed, claiming the proscription unfairly labeled over 30 million Igbo people as terrorists.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh led IPOB’s legal team in contesting the ruling.
IPOB also accused the AGF of misrepresenting facts and suppressing crucial evidence in its affidavit.
Despite these arguments, the Court of Appeal rejected IPOB’s appeal, ruling that the proscription order should remain in effect.
The decision reaffirmed the Federal Government’s stance and maintained IPOB’s classification as a terrorist organization.
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