7 IPOB followers are freed after judge fines the police N130 million

Seven supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who were allegedly detained by security forces and held against their will in a number of detention facilities, have won legal victories.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s attorney, claimed that in addition to releasing IPOB supporters from their obligations, the court also granted them N130 million in damages against security agencies.

In the charge with the charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/475/2021, Justice M.O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly absolved Maria Ezediaro “of all frivolous criminal allegation/charge brought against her before the court.”

She was detained on February 26, 2021, when she went to the State CID in Owerri, Imo State Command to visit a friend who was being held there. According to Ejiofor, she was then transferred to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team detention facility in “Abattoir,” Abuja, where she was subjected to all manner of cruel treatment, terrible torture, and degrading treatment.

However, we brought a fundamental rights enforcement case on her behalf before the Federal High Court of Abuja after the police refused to let her go or bring charges against her.

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She was granted bail by the court on April 21, 2022, based on our application, and was subsequently released to us upon successful completion of the bail conditions.

Following our appeal and arguments before the court, on October 10, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice M.O. Olajuwon, dismissed the four charges of terrorism brought against Mrs. Maria Ezediaro.

Additionally, Cletus Nwachukwu Egole, pastor of the Holy Trinity Sabbath Church in Orlu, Imo State, his wife, Ifeyinwa Egole, a prophet of the Jewish faith named Michael Uba, Ugochukwu Samuel, and Raphael Idang were all released by Justice V.S. Gaba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. Additionally, the court awarded them N100 million in compensatory damages against the police.

On March 21, 2021, the Imo State Command of the Nigerian Police allegedly detained them, paraded them, and then transported them to the IGP Intelligence Response Team detention facility in “Abattoir,” Abuja.

Ngozichukwu Ada-Dav’s release was also ordered by Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who also granted her N30 million in compensatory damages, the source added.

Ada-Dav was detained in illegal custody at the IGP/IRT in Ikeja GRA until July 3, 2021, at which point she was transferred to the Garki Command of the Nigerian Police, infamously known as the Abattoir. Ada-Dav was apprehended in June 2021 by a team of fully armed operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.