BREAKING: Court Frees 24 Biafran Agitators After 4 Years In Detention [PHOTO]
An Ebonyi State High Court has discharged and acquitted 24 Biafran agitators, ending their four-year-long detention over allegations of conspiracy and treason.
THe Genius Media Nigeria reports that the decision was delivered by Justice I.P. Chima on Thursday, July 17, in favour of a preliminary objection filed by the defence team.
The objection referenced Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, which bars individuals from being retried for offences they’ve already been acquitted of — a principle known as autrefois acquit.
The court held that the detainees had previously been discharged and acquitted by no fewer than five High Courts on similar charges and therefore could not be tried again.
Justice Chima ordered the immediate release of all 24 defendants, describing their prolonged incarceration as unconstitutional and a clear violation of their rights.
The defendants, reportedly supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had been in custody since May 24, 2020, when they were arrested during a pro-Biafra demonstration.
Reacting to the ruling, IPOB’s lead counsel, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described the verdict as a “historic victory” for justice and constitutional order in Nigeria.
“These innocent citizens were recycled through the courts under identical allegations, despite being repeatedly cleared,” Ejiofor said outside the courtroom.
He called for immediate compensation and rehabilitation for the acquitted men, stressing that the ordeal had shattered their families emotionally and financially.
Ejiofor added, “Justice was delayed but not denied. The light of justice has finally pierced the clouds of oppression.”
According to reports, the released men were held in various detention centres across Ebonyi State for the past four years, without fresh charges being properly filed.
Civil rights advocates have also condemned the prolonged detention, calling it a symptom of Nigeria’s worsening judicial delays and rights abuses.
IPOB has long insisted its members are non-violent agitators for self-determination, though Nigerian authorities have designated the group as a terrorist organisation.
Human rights groups are now urging the Ebonyi State Government to take proactive steps to compensate the freed men for the years lost.
Many of the detainees are said to be breadwinners whose families have suffered serious hardship throughout the legal battle.
