A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday discharged and acquitted no fewer than 50 persons alleged to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of allegations bordering on terrorism.
The trial Judge, Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) failed to establish a prima facie case against the 50 defendants, including four women.
Justice Omotosho, who upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, said the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence, linking the defendants with the allegations they were charged for and consequently struck out the three-count charge preferred against the defendants.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024 alleged that the defendants assembled themselves inside a 911 truck with Reg No. XA-139 BDN and engaged themselves in a meeting all about and in connection with an act of terrorism.
They were alleged to have in their custody 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange color caps, and all were designed in the IPOB emblem with various charms, alleging further that their “gathering was to promote illegality to terrorize the people of Anambra state.”
The Police said the offence is contrary and punishable under Section 12 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
