Designation of IPOB as terrorist: Appeal Court to deliver judgment in 90 days – Ejimakor

Aloy Ejimakor, lead Counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said the Appeal Court will deliver judgment in the reversal of the group’s designation as a terrorist organization within the next 90 days.

IPOB was designated a terrorist organization six years ago by the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

On September 20, 2017, Buhari’s administration had proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization for committing, instigating, and facilitating several acts of terrorism in the Southeast.

But, on Thursday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, reserved its judgement on an appeal the IPOB filed to challenge its proscription as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government.

A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Hamma Barka, adjourned the matter for judgment, after FG and IPOB, through their respective lawyers, adopted their final briefs of argument.

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IPOB had prayed the appellate court to set aside in its entirety, the ruling/final decision of the late former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, which on September 15, 2017, outlawed its activities in Nigeria.

Reacting, Ejimakor posted on X: “Today, the 6-year quest to reverse the designation of #IPOB as a terror group ended at the Court of Appeal where the appeal was FINALLY heard on the merits, despite a veiled maneuver to force another adjournment.

“Judgment is expected within the next 90 days, as mandated by law.”