The Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, has ruled in favor of Mazi Chika Edoziem, the administrative head of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), declaring the terrorism allegations against him unlawful and unconstitutional. The court ordered the Nigerian Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to issue a public apology in two national newspapers and pay ₦5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights.
The judgment, delivered by Justice I.N. Oweibo in Suit No: FHC/OW/FHR/29/2024, nullified the inclusion of Edoziem’s name in the Ministry of Defence’s 2024 security threat list, stating that such an act was a violation of his right to dignity. The court further directed the authorities to immediately retract the wrongful designation of Edoziem as a terrorist, insurgent, kidnapper, and violent criminal.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, IPOB’s lead counsel, confirmed the ruling in a press statement, emphasizing that Edoziem was the only individual among those listed in the Ministry of Defence’s 2024 security index to successfully challenge the accusations in court. The statement highlighted that his global reputation as a peace advocate contradicted the allegations made against him.
Ejiofor further urged security agencies to focus on accurate profiling of criminals rather than unjustly targeting innocent individuals, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires strategic and well-directed efforts.
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