Justice Omotosho Discharges, Acquits 50 Alleged IPOB Members Due to Lack of Evidence

A Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice James Omotosho, has discharged and acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, who were accused of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The defendants were charged with terrorism-related offenses by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), but Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho upheld the defendants’ no-case submission, highlighting that the police had not provided any credible evidence linking them to the alleged crimes. As a result, the three-count charge against the 50 accused was struck out.

The charges, which had been filed by the Inspector-General of Police, stemmed from an incident on December 12, 2023, in Umunze Village, Anambra State. The police had claimed that the group was engaged in a meeting aimed at promoting terrorism and that they were found in possession of items linked to IPOB, including caps emblazoned with the group’s emblem and spiritual charms. The prosecution argued that the gathering was intended to incite terror in the region.

However, the court found that the evidence presented by the police was insufficient to establish a case, leading to the discharge and acquittal of the accused individuals.