Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and charged with terrorism.
The court determined that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) failed to present credible evidence linking the defendants to the charges.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution did not provide sufficient proof to associate the accused with acts of terrorism, thereby upholding the defendants’ no-case submission and dismissing the three-count charge.
The allegations, brought by the Inspector-General of Police, stated that the defendants were arrested on December 12, 2023, in Umunze Village, Anambra State, while allegedly participating in a gathering related to terrorism.
The police also claimed the defendants possessed items such as caps bearing the IPOB emblem and charms that were said to be used for spiritual purposes.
Justice Omotosho rejected these claims due to a lack of substantive evidence, emphasizing the prosecution’s failure to prove its case.
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