- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, had filed a lawsuit seeking the annulment of the proscription
- The reliefs sought in the lawsuit included the removal of IPOB from the list of terrorist organizations, in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On Thursday, the Enugu State High Court issued a ruling declaring that the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Southeast Governors’ Forum in 2017 was an instance of administrative abuse and thus null and void.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, had filed a lawsuit seeking the annulment of the proscription, arguing that IPOB is a registered organization whose members are exercising their right of association. The case was presented by Kanu’s special counsel, Barr Aloy Ejimakor.
The reliefs sought in the lawsuit included the removal of IPOB from the list of terrorist organizations, in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nnamdi Kanu also sought a declaration that self-determination is a recognized right, public apologies published in three national newspapers, damages of N25 billion, and an injunction to prevent the government from pursuing criminal charges against him.
Justice A.O. Onovo, while delivering the judgement, agreed with the applicant that the African Charter binds on Nigerian courts, hence self-determination is not a crime.
On monetary damages, the court granted N8.billion in damages to Kanu. It however declined jurisdiction in stopping the criminal trial of Kanu on grounds that it is before the Supreme Court.
Ejimakor commended the court for being the last hope of the coming man. In his words, “We are grateful that justice has prevailed over this matter since 2017.
“The court has reaffirmed the hopes of the common man in the judiciary. You have saved thousands of lives.”