Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court has cleared at least 50 people accused of being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of terrorism charges.
The court ruled that the prosecution, led by the Nigerian police, failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants, including four women.
Omotosho, who upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, said that the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence linking the defendants with the allegations they were charged for.
Following the lack of evidence, the judge subsequently struck out the three-count charge brought against them.
Persecondnews recalls that the Inspector-General of Police had filed a charge, FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024, against 50 defendants, accusing them of gathering in a 911 truck with registration number XA-139 BDN for a meeting related to terrorism.
The defendants were accused of possessing IPOB-emblem-designed caps and charms, which the police alleged were intended to promote illegality and terrorize the people of Anambra.
Specifically, the items seized included 48 black caps, 25 red caps, and 6 orange caps, all bearing the IPOB emblem and accompanied by various charms.
The police claimed that their gathering was aimed at promoting illegality and terrorism, an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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