The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, discharged and acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, accused of terrorism and alleged membership in the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the Nigeria Police Force failed to present credible evidence linking the defendants to the charges.
The court upheld the defendants no-case submission and struck out the three-count charge filed against them.
“The prosecution did not establish any case against the defendants, nor did it provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations,” Justice Omotosho stated.
The case, initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, accused the defendants of participating in a gathering connected to acts of terrorism.
The charges claimed they were intercepted on December 12, 2023, at Umunze Village in Anambra State by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, supported by local vigilantes.
The police alleged that the defendants were found in a 911 truck with items such as black, red, and orange caps bearing IPOB emblems and charms purportedly used for “spiritual power” to evade capture during terrorist activities.
The prosecution claimed the group’s assembly aimed to “promote illegality and terrorise residents of Anambra State,” allegedly violating Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
However, Justice Omotosho ruled that the allegations lacked substantiated evidence, leading to the dismissal of all charges against the accused.
