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Court Acquits 50 Alleged IPOB Members Over Lack of Evidence in Terrorism Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted 50 individuals accused of terrorism-related offenses allegedly linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The ruling was delivered on Friday by Justice James Omotosho, who held that the Nigerian Police Force failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants, which included four women.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho upheld the no-case submission presented by the defense, stating that the prosecution was unable to provide credible evidence connecting the defendants to the charges brought against them. Consequently, the court struck out the three-count charge filed against the individuals.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024, was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police. The prosecution alleged that the 50 defendants had convened inside a 911 truck with registration number XA-139 BDN for a meeting purportedly connected to acts of terrorism.

Further allegations included claims that the defendants were found in possession of 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and six orange caps, all bearing IPOB emblems, along with various charms. The police argued that their gathering aimed to promote illegality and instill fear among the people of Anambra State.

The charges were based on Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. However, the court found no substantial evidence to support these claims, leading to the acquittal of the defendants. This ruling underscores the importance of credible evidence in prosecuting cases under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

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