Twelve members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who had been in prison since May 24, 2021, have regained their freedom.
They were released on Thursday after a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court.
This was disclosed by the IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday.
The 12 were among 36 IPOB members arrested in 2021.
Although earlier court rulings had discharged and acquitted them, they remained in custody due to delays in carrying out those decisions.
That changed when the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution officially dropped the latest charges against them.
“This victory follows a formal application by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who, in acknowledgement of repeated judicial pronouncements, withdrew the latest charge filed against these 12 individuals,” Ejiofor stated.
He described the move as “a long-overdue respect for the rule of law” and said he personally made sure the release was carried out properly, with the prison authorities obeying the court order.
Ejiofor also said the legal team is not backing down on efforts to free the remaining IPOB members who were also cleared by no fewer than four High Courts in Ebonyi State.
“Our legal team remains relentless and fully committed to securing the freedom of the remaining detainees—men who have also been discharged and acquitted by no fewer than four different High Courts in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Even though 12 detainees are now free, others are still waiting to be released. But Ejiofor is confident their freedom is near.
“Their release is no longer a matter of if but when, and that moment draws closer by the day,” he said.
He added, “Justice may be delayed, but it shall not be denied. Freedom must prevail.”
