The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Nigerian government to reverse its proscription of the group, citing a March 1, 2017 ruling by Justice B.F.M. Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reportedly stated IPOB was neither unlawful nor proscribed. The group described the proscription as “kangaroo justice” and an “assault on the rule of law.”
In a statement released by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group condemned what it labelled a corrupt attempt by the Federal Government, particularly under the former Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, to criminalise its peaceful campaign for Biafran self-determination. The group referenced the case Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu & Ors (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/15), in which two key charges against its leader were struck out, and IPOB was not declared unlawful.
IPOB further alleged that after failing to secure a favourable verdict from Justice Nyako, the Buhari administration sought a questionable ex parte proscription order from another judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati, whom it accused of judicial overreach. The statement condemned the move as a violation of Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
“The ex parte ruling is void ab initio,” IPOB stated. “It was engineered to sabotage a peaceful movement seeking justice and transparency in Nigeria.”
The group urged the international community and human rights organisations to intervene and recognise the original court ruling as the only lawful verdict on the matter. IPOB reaffirmed its peaceful stance and vowed to continue its struggle, stating that its campaign for self-determination challenges a government uncomfortable with truth and accountability.
“The world is watching,” IPOB warned, “and history will judge those who manipulate the law for political gain.”
