The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called for the reversal of the federal government designation of IPOB as a terrorist group.
The Kanu Nnamdi-led group made the demand in a statement signed by its spokes Emma Powerful on Sunday, saying the process leading to the designation was bereft of Constitutional requirement of fair hearing.
The group claimed there’s a subsisting court order by justice Murtala Nyako that there’s not enough evidence to support claims that IPOB is an unlawful organisation, adding that the ruling had yet to be challenged by the federal government.
It said the federal government later obtained an exparte order, without the group’s knowledge, noting that the action violated Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Powerful said in any matter affecting IPOB it must be given a fair hearing as required by the constitution, saying so far this has not be done as regard its proscription as an illegal group, pointing out that IPOB remains a peaceful organisation and will use available legal means to achieve its aims.
“The proper forum for determining IPoB’s legal status remains in a fair and open judicial setting, where all parties are represented and heard.
“We remain committed to peace, dialogue, and adherence to lawful processes in pursuit of our goals,” the statement concluded,” the statement said.
In 2027, the federal government declared IPOB a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act. The declaration was later nullified by a High Court sitting in Enugu in 2023. But an Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal later upheld the proscription.
