Appeal court affirms ruling proscribing IPOB

The court of appeal in Abuja has upheld the order proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In 2017, a federal high court in Abuja declared IPOB’s activities as “acts of terrorism”.

Abdul Kafarati, the presiding judge at the time, ruled that the group’s actions across the country—especially in the south-east and south-south regions—amounted to terrorism and illegality.

Following the ruling, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed a presidential proclamation proscribing the secessionist group.

On Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously held that the federal government acted lawfully in banning IPOB.

Delivering the lead judgment, Hamma Barka, the presiding judge, dismissed IPOB’s appeal, describing it as “unmeritorious“.