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) on terrorism-related charges.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) completely failed to present a case against the defendants.
He upheld the no-case submission filed by the defense, stating that the prosecution did not provide credible evidence linking the accused to the alleged crimes.
As a result, the judge struck out the three-count charge brought against them. The case had been filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
In the charge dated Jan. 10 but filed on Feb. 9, count one alleged that on or about Dec. 12, 2023, at Umunze Village, Uga Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra, while acting on tipoff of Intelligent gathering, intercepted and arrested them by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Police Command led by Collins Eruogwu together with local vigilante group.
They were alleged to have assembled themselves inside a 911 truck with Reg No. XA-139 BDN, and engaging themselves in a meeting all about, and in connection with an act of terrorism.
Besides, they were alleged to have in their custody 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange colour caps, and all were designed in IPOB emblem with various degrees of charms which they admitted to having possessed the spiritual power of disappearing while carrying out your terrorist transaction.
The police further alleged that their “gathering is for the purpose of promoting illegality in other to terrorise the people of Anambra State and that thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 12 of Terrorism g, (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.