Court frees 36 Pro-Biafra activists after four years in detention

An Ebonyi State High Court, sitting in Abakaliki, has discharged and acquitted 36 Pro-Biafra activists who had been detained for over four years.

This is according to Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Ejiofor made the announcement on Friday in Owerri, where he recounted the challenges faced in securing the release of the detained individuals.

The 36 detainees, all from Ebonyi State, were initially arrested in 2020 and charged with murder in connection with the case No. HAB/29c/2021.

However, during the trial, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the charges. After filing a “No Case Submission,” the court dismissed the charges and acquitted the detainees on September 27, 2022.

Despite being discharged and acquitted, the activists were re-arrested and arraigned again on Charge No. HAB/43c/2022, which included accusations of unlawful possession of firearms, robbery, unlawful association, arson, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and carrying out warlike undertakings.

Once more, the prosecution failed to provide compelling evidence, prompting another No Case Submission by the defense.

The court discharged the activists once again on December 22, 2023.

However, while the second charge was still pending, the prosecution filed yet another case against the activists under Charge No. HAB/59c/2022, this time accusing them of armed robbery.

This forced the detainees back into custody, despite previous court orders.

On September 27, 2024, following the completion of the third trial, the court once again upheld the No Case Submission, discharging and acquitting all 36 detainees for the third time.

Despite the repeated court orders, prison officials refused to release them, citing a new charge before the Ikwo High Court. Ejiofor condemned this as an attempt to deny the detainees their freedom, despite their repeated acquittals.

Ejiofor appealed to Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, urging him to intervene and prevent this “mockery of the judicial process” from continuing.

He expressed concern that the state’s actions would damage its reputation in the eyes of the international community.