A high court in Ebonyi State has granted the release of 12 members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who had been detained since May 24, 2021.
The court’s decision on Thursday followed the withdrawal of the last remaining charges against the detainees by the Ebonyi State government.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the IPOB members, announced the news in a statement on Facebook.
He explained that these 12 individuals were part of a larger group of 36 IPOB members who had been incarcerated since 2021. Previous court rulings had already cleared them of all charges.
“On April 10, 2025, a significant milestone was reached at the Ebonyi State High Court, where 12 Biafran detainees, part of the 36 arrested on May 24, 2021, were finally freed, in accordance with multiple court rulings discharging them,” Ejiofor shared.
He explained that the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had formally withdrawn the charges against the group, acknowledging prior judicial orders.
Ejiofor hailed the move as a positive step for the rule of law and a clear affirmation of the detainees’ innocence, which had been confirmed by the courts numerous times.
“Following the court’s order, I personally ensured the detainees’ release, and the prison authorities complied without delay,” Ejiofor added.
The legal team remains committed to securing the release of the other detainees, who have also been acquitted by several courts in Ebonyi State.
Ejiofor concluded, “The release of the remaining detainees is no longer a matter of if, but when. While justice may be delayed, it will ultimately prevail.”
Leave a Reply