IPOB attorney urges Ebonyi governor to secure the release of 36 indigenes cleared by the court

The attorney for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urgently appealed to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene in the case of 36 indigenes labeled as IPOB members.

These individuals have been detained since 2020 on allegedly false charges despite being discharged by the courts.

Ejiofor emphasized that if Governor Nwifuru fails to act, it could negatively impact the state’s reputation on a broader scale.

These 36 individuals have been acquitted three times by competent courts, yet they continue to be re-arrested and denied their freedom.

In a letter dated September 27, 2024, which our correspondent received on Monday, the IPOB lawyer expressed these concerns.

The letter stated, “On September 27, 2024, the honorable court, led by Hon. Justice Chris Ezeh, issued a significant and insightful ruling regarding our ‘No Case Submission.’ His Lordship upheld our submission and discharged and acquitted the 36 innocent Biafrans who have been imprisoned since 2020.

“However, in an unprecedented move, prison officials denied these acquitted individuals their release, citing another pending charge against them at the Ikwo High Court.

“It is clear that there are forces at play preventing these innocent Biafrans from gaining their freedom, despite their repeated exoneration by competent courts. This situation highlights a gross violation of their rights and an abuse of the judicial process.

“I humbly appeal to His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State, whose administration took over this case, to urge his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to use their constitutional authority to end this farce and restore faith in the judicial process. This ongoing mockery could tarnish the state’s image in the eyes of the international community.”

The letter further expressed disappointment that these innocent Ebonyi indigenes, who have been detained since 2020 on various unproven charges, have been acquitted by the Ebonyi State High Courts three times over the past four years.

Despite this, the state has not allowed these individuals to return home, even though they have suffered enough for crimes they did not commit. The author remains hopeful that the governor’s timely intervention will put an end to this apparent disregard for democratic principles.

Finally, Biafrans can be assured that the legal team will continue to fight tirelessly until these wrongfully detained individuals, who were again acquitted by the court, achieve full freedom.