After four years behind bars, the last batch of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), held since May 24, 2020, breathed the air of freedom on Thursday, July 17, 2025, following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court that discharged and acquitted them of all charges.
Contained in court charge sheet no: HIK/10C/2024, obtained by our correspondent, the 24 IPOB members were among a group of 36 that had been in prolonged detention at various correctional centres. Their release from custody on Thursday marked the end of what has been described as a “painful ordeal and unconstitutional incarceration.”
Confirming the development in a statement made available to journalists, IPOB’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said the detainees had endured “years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges,” even after being discharged and acquitted by no fewer than five high courts in the state.
He said, “A momentous chapter was written today, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Ebonyi State High Court, as the last batch of 24 Biafran detainees, out of a group of 36 unjustly held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering frivolous and unfounded charges.
“These innocent citizens had endured years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges, even after being severally discharged and acquitted on the same facts by not less than five respectable High Courts in Ebonyi State.”
Ejiofor noted that Thursday’s ruling came after his legal team raised a preliminary objection, citing a violation of the fundamental rights of the detainees—particularly the constitutional protection against double jeopardy.
“Today’s historic ruling followed our preliminary objection which powerfully highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights: particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“This sacred principle, autrefois acquit, stipulates that no person shall be tried again for an offence in respect of which they have previously been acquitted.”
He described the judgment by Hon. Justice I. P. Chima as “bold, fearless, and intellectually profound,” saying the court upheld their arguments in totality and delivered justice without fear or favour.
“In a bold, fearless, and intellectually profound ruling, His Lordship, Hon. Justice I. P. Chima, upheld our arguments in their entirety and lent judicial weight to the cause of justice.
“We salute the learned Judge’s exceptional courage, depth of reasoning, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of the Constitution. His erudition and moral clarity have restored faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“Above all, we return all glory, honour, and adoration to the Most High God – ChukwuOkike Abiama, our eternal rock, fortress, and deliverer. This is another unprecedented victory, made possible only by His mighty hand. We acknowledge that without Him, this milestone would not have been possible.”
The counsel further disclosed that measures were already being taken to comply fully with the court’s directive for the immediate release of the freed individuals.
According to him, “Prompt steps are being taken to ensure full compliance without delay,” noting also that the Government of Ebonyi State had, through its legal team, pledged in open court to obey the judgment in full.
“We are also grateful to the legal team of the Government of Ebonyi State, who, in open court, pledged to ensure this judgment is obeyed to the letter. Similarly, the correctional authorities have undertaken to immediately hand over the freed detainees to us without resistance or delay; a commitment we shall hold them to.
“We commend our colleagues in chambers, whose tireless research, resilience, and dedication have once again produced the noble triumph.”
Ejiofor expressed hope that the release would signal the beginning of healing for the affected families, many of whom had suffered irreparable losses during the years of incarceration.
“The joy of today will ripple far beyond the walls of the courtroom. It will be a thing of immense joy seeing the reunification of these families, some of whose wives had been abandoned, children lost, and parents buried in sorrow during this long period of incarceration.
“Now, we look forward to the healing and rebuilding phase. We urge the relevant agencies of the Ebonyi State Government to urgently consider appropriate measures for rehabilitation and reparation of these victims, even without prompting.
“Today marks the end of a painful four-year ordeal. The light of justice has finally pierced through the dark clouds of oppression. Once again, to the Almighty God be all the glory; it can only be Him. With God, we have conquered. Justice has spoken. Freedom is restored. A new chapter begins.”
