Court lifts IPOB ban, awards Kanu N8bn

Enugu High Court Declares IPOB Proscription Unconstitutional

In a landmark ruling, Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court has declared the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the South-East Governors’ Forum as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void.

This significant decision comes after IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, petitioned the court seeking the reversal of the prescription.

Kanu’s counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, argued that IPOB’s proscription was illegal as the organization consisted of Nigerian citizens advocating for self-determination, particularly from the Igbo and other eastern Nigerian ethnic groups.

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Kanu further contended that self-determination is not a crime and cannot justify his arrest, detention, and prosecution.

In a comprehensive judgment, Justice Onovo sided with Kanu, deeming the proscription of IPOB unconstitutional and illegal.

Additionally, he ordered the defendants to pay Kanu N8 billion in damages and mandated a public apology through newspaper publications.

Ejimakor expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, emphasizing that it upholds the hopes of the common man in the judicial system and potentially safeguards thousands of lives affected by the proscription since 2017.This ruling signifies a significant legal victory for Kanu and the IPOB movement.