Appeal Court Confirms IPOB’s Designation as a Terrorist Organization

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization. 

The unanimous decision by a three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, affirmed the Federal High Court’s 2017 ruling that outlawed the group.

The appellate court ruled that the Federal Government acted lawfully in proscribing IPOB, stating that the organization’s activities posed a threat to national security and the country’s continued existence. It dismissed IPOB’s appeal, describing it as lacking merit and resolving all issues against the group.

The proscription order was initially issued by the late former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, on September 15, 2017. This followed an ex-parte motion filed by the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). The court declared IPOB’s activities illegal, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions, and prohibited any individual or group from participating in the group’s activities. Justice Abdu-Kafarati also directed the AGF to publish the proscription order in the official gazette and two national newspapers.

In a subsequent ruling on January 22, 2018, the court dismissed IPOB’s motion challenging the validity of the proscription order, which the group argued had been obtained surreptitiously by the Federal Government. Dissatisfied with the rulings, IPOB filed an appeal, urging the Court of Appeal to overturn the decisions.

Through its legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh, IPOB contended that the proscription order amounted to labelling over 30 million Igbos as terrorists. The group also accused the AGF of suppressing and misrepresenting facts in the affidavit evidence presented to the court. However, the Court of Appeal found no reason to set aside the initial order and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s stance.