Court Clears IPOB Deputy Leader Chika Edoziem, Declares Terrorist, Wanted Person Labels Illegal
Chika Edoziem is the Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
AFederal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, Southeast Nigeria has declared as illegal, the designation of Mazi Chika Edoziem as a wanted person, terrorist, insurgent, kidnapper, and violent criminal by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.
Chika Edoziem is the Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The court in its ruling on Thursday in a suit No. FHC/OW/FHR/29/2024, between Edoziem as the Applicant and the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff as 1st and 2nd Respondents, also awarded N5 million in damages to Edoziem for the infringement of his fundamental right to dignity of human person.
The court’s decision is a significant victory for Edoziem and IPOB, which has been fighting against the Nigerian government over the labelling of the organisation as a terrorist group.
In the judgement delivered by His Lordship, Hon. Justice I.N. Oweibo, the court held that the March 22, 2024, publication of Edoziem’s name and photograph in the Ministry of Defence’s First Edition of 2024, as a security threat, was done in gross violation of his constitutionally guaranteed right to dignity of human person.
The court, consequently, directed the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff to immediately retract the unconstitutional declaration and apologise to the applicant, an apology which shall be published in two national newspapers.
SaharaReporters reports that this ruling serves as a call to accountability for security agencies to focus on proper profiling and identification of actual criminals.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Nigerian government had declared Edoziem wanted in March 2024, along with other notorious criminals, terrorists, and bandits.
However, IPOB had maintained that Edoziem was innocent and that the declaration was a deliberate attempt to demonize and intimidate him.
The court’s ruling is a significant setback for the Nigerian government’s efforts to suppress IPOB and its leaders. IPOB has been advocating for the independence of Biafra and has been critical of the Nigerian government’s handling of the region.
“This judgment is a strong statement against unjust profiling and underscores the importance of due process in security matters,” said Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. Edoziem’s lawyer.
Ejiofor in a statement made available to SaharaReporters, expressed gratitude to his colleagues, Ezigbo Umuchineke, and Almighty God for their support and guidance throughout the proceedings.
“Justice has prevailed, and we march forward with renewed faith in the rule of law; Even as we continue to move!” he stated.
Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, has been detained by Nigerian authorities since June 2021. Kanu, a British-Nigerian citizen, was initially arrested in 2015 on charges including treasonable felony but fled the country in 2017 after an attack by the military on his home while on bail. In June 2021, he was apprehended in Kenya under controversial circumstances and renditioned to Nigeria, where he has remained in custody, facing charges related to terrorism and treason.
IPOB, founded in 2014, advocates for the secession of the southeastern region of Nigeria to form an independent nation of Biafra. The Nigerian government designated IPOB as a terrorist organization in 2017, leading to increased tensions and clashes between IPOB members and security forces.
Kanu’s continued detention has drawn criticism from various quarters, including his family and international observers.
His brother, Kingsley Kanu, has accused the UK government of abandoning Kanu, urging for more robust intervention. Concerns have been raised about Kanu’s treatment in detention, including allegations of solitary confinement and denial of medical care.
