Court orders release of 24 Biafran agitators, based on objection filed by defence
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
An Ebonyi High Court has discharged and acquitted the last batch of 24 Biafran freedom agitators standing trial for conspiracy and treason since their arrest on 14 May 2020.
Judge I.P. Chima ruled in favour of a preliminary objection filed by the defence, which argued that the defendants had already been discharged and acquitted by other courts on similar charges and could not be retried on the same facts.
The objection was anchored on Section 36(9) of the Constitution, which prohibits double jeopardy – a legal principle known as autrefois acquit, meaning no individual shall be tried again for an offence they have already been acquitted of.
The Judge ordered immediate release of the 24 detainees, declaring their prolonged detention unconstitutional.
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) lead counsel Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who represented the defendants, welcomed the ruling with praise for the judiciary.
“This is a historic victory,” he said.
“These innocent citizens were kept in custody under recycled and repackaged allegations even after being discharged and acquitted by not less than five different High Courts in Ebonyi State.”
Ejiofor:
- Commended Chima for his “bold, fearless and intellectually profound” judgment, which he said reaffirms confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
- Said efforts are underway to ensure the immediate release of the detainees, and expressed gratitude to the Ebonyi Government’s legal team and the correctional authorities for pledging to comply fully with the court order.
- Urged the state government to consider rehabilitation and compensation for the released individuals, citing the emotional and economic toll of their long incarceration on their families.
“Justice was delayed but not denied. Today marks the end of a painful four-year ordeal. The light of justice has finally pierced the clouds of oppression,” Ejiofor said.
The release brings closure to a legal battle that has drawn attention from civil society and human rights observers concerned about prolonged detention and repeated charges on the same allegations.
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