The last set of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who had been detained since 2020 were released on Thursday following a landmark ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court.
Court records obtained by this newspaper show that the detainees, part of a group of 36 arrested on May 24, 2020, were discharged and acquitted of all charges under case number HIK/10C/2024. The verdict effectively ends a four-year legal ordeal marked by multiple detentions and repeated dismissals of the same allegations by various courts.
Their lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed the release in a statement, describing the ruling as “a momentous chapter” in the legal battle for justice.
He said, “A momentous chapter was written today, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Ebonyi State High Court, as the last batch of 24 Biafran detainees, out of a group of 36 unjustly held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering frivolous and unfounded charges.”
Ejiofor explained that the accused had been unlawfully held despite being previously discharged and acquitted on identical charges by at least five different high courts in Ebonyi State.
“Today’s historic ruling followed our preliminary objection which powerfully highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” he said.
The principle of autrefois acquit, which prohibits re-trial on the same charges after acquittal, formed a central part of the defence team’s objection. According to Ejiofor, the presiding judge, Justice I. P. Chima, upheld their arguments “in a bold, fearless, and intellectually profound ruling.”
He praised the court’s courage and clarity of judgment, saying, “We salute the learned Judge’s exceptional courage, depth of reasoning, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of the Constitution. His erudition and moral clarity have restored faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”
Ejiofor also expressed gratitude to God, attributing the legal victory to divine intervention. “Above all, we return all glory, honour, and adoration to the Most High God – ChukwuOkike Abiama – our eternal rock, fortress, and deliverer. This is another unprecedented victory, made possible only by His mighty hand.”
In compliance with the ruling, Ejiofor said immediate steps were underway to secure the release of the detainees from the correctional facility. He appreciated both his legal team and the legal representatives of the Ebonyi State Government for their cooperation in court.
“We are also grateful to the legal team of the Government of Ebonyi State, who, in open court, pledged to ensure this judgment is obeyed to the letter. Similarly, the correctional authorities have undertaken to immediately hand over the freed detainees to us without resistance or delay; a commitment we shall hold them to,” he said.
Describing the emotional toll of the long incarceration, Ejiofor said some of the freed detainees had lost family members, including parents and children, while others saw their homes broken.
“The joy of today will ripple far beyond the walls of the courtroom. It will be a thing of immense joy seeing the reunification of these families, some of whose wives had been abandoned, children lost, and parents buried in sorrow during this long period of incarceration.”
He further urged the Ebonyi State Government to consider steps for the rehabilitation and compensation of the victims.
“Now, we look forward to the healing and rebuilding phase. We urge the relevant agencies of the Ebonyi State Government to urgently consider appropriate measures for rehabilitation and reparation of these victims, even without prompting,” he added.
Thursday’s ruling closes a legal episode that IPOB supporters and human rights advocates have long described as a gross miscarriage of justice. For many, it is a reminder of the slow grind of the judicial process in politically sensitive cases.
“Today marks the end of a painful four-year ordeal,” Ejiofor declared. “The light of justice has finally pierced through the dark clouds of oppression. Once again, to the Almighty God be all the glory; it can only be Him. With God, we have conquered. Justice has spoken. Freedom is restored. A new chapter begins.”
