IPOB Takes Proscription Battle to Supreme Court
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is taking things up a notch by heading to the Supreme Court to challenge its proscription and terrorist tag. After facing a legal setback at the Court of Appeal, the group is not backing down. Now, it’s making a bold move to overturn the ruling once and for all.
On January 18, 2018, Justice Abdu-Kafarati, the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled that IPOB was a terrorist organization and banned its activities. The government took this a step further by ordering the Attorney General of the Federation to publish the proscription in newspapers. The move was a heavy blow to IPOB, especially in the South-East and South-South regions, which had strong support.
Not one to go down without a fight, IPOB challenged the proscription at the Court of Appeal. Fast forward to January 30, 2025, and the appellate court upheld the ban, stating that IPOB’s activities threatened Nigeria’s peace and security. A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, unanimously ruled in favor of the government, calling IPOB’s appeal weak. Ouch.
But guess what? IPOB isn’t taking no for an answer! On February 7, 2025, the group officially appealed to the Supreme Court. In its five-point argument, IPOB insists that the lower court got it wrong by labeling it a threat to national security.
The legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, argues that the proscription process violated Nigeria’s Constitution. IPOB points out that, under Section 305, a state of emergency must be declared before restricting any group’s rights. According to them, the government skipped this crucial step. They also claim that the Court of Appeal had no business declaring them a security threat without the proper legal backing.
IPOB doesn’t just rely on the Nigerian Constitution for its argument. The group also offers a powerful human rights perspective. They cite Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to self-determination. Simply put, IPOB believes it has the right to fight for its independence without interference.
They also argue that the Court of Appeal’s ruling violates fundamental human rights by discriminating against IPOB members based on ethnicity and political opinion. According to them, every Nigerian deserves a fair hearing, regardless of their beliefs, and this case was no different.
All eyes are now on the Supreme Court. Will IPOB succeed in overturning the proscription? Will the government stand firm on its position? One thing’s for sure: this case is far from over.
For now, IPOB is standing its ground, confident that the highest court in the land will give them justice. The Supreme Court’s decision will shape the future of IPOB and its quest for self-determination. Stay tuned for the next episode of this high-stakes legal drama!
