The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra upholding its designation as a terrorist organization.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, stemmed from an appeal filed by IPOB challenging its proscription by the Federal Government.
The group had sought to overturn the decision of the Federal High Court, which, on September 15, 2017, outlawed its activities in Nigeria.
The initial proscription was issued by the late Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His ruling followed an ex-parte motion brought by then-Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN. Justice Abdu-Kafarati declared IPOB’s activities illegal, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions, and barred individuals or groups from participating in them.
In justifying the decision, he stated that IPOB posed a “threat to national security” and dismissed arguments that the group could not be sued because it was not registered in Nigeria.
He emphasized that IPOB’s registration in over 40 countries did not exempt it from liability under Nigerian law if it was found to have violated local regulations.
Following the ruling, the AGF was directed to publish the proscription order in two national newspapers and an online platform.
IPOB had attempted to challenge the ruling, arguing that the proscription order was obtained secretly. However, the court dismissed their motion on January 22, 2018.
On Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled unanimously in favor of the Federal Government.
Justice Hamma Barka, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that IPOB’s activities posed a threat to national unity and the security of citizens.
The court deemed the appeal lacking in merit and dismissed it entirely.
