An Ebonyi State High Court, sitting in Abakaliki, has discharged and acquitted 36 Pro-Biafra activists who had been detained for over four years.
This is according to Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Ejiofor made the announcement on Friday in Owerri, where he recounted the challenges faced in securing the release of the detained individuals.
The 36 detainees, all from Ebonyi State, were initially arrested in 2020 and charged with murder in connection with the case No. HAB/29c/2021.
However, during the trial, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the charges. After filing a “No Case Submission,” the court dismissed the charges and acquitted the detainees on September 27, 2022.
Despite being discharged and acquitted, the activists were re-arrested and arraigned again on Charge No. HAB/43c/2022, which included accusations of unlawful possession of firearms, robbery, unlawful association, arson, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and carrying out warlike undertakings.
Peoplesmind