The Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 50 individuals, including four women, who were accused of terrorism-related activities linked to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). The case, presided over by Justice James Omotosho on Friday, resulted in the discharge of all defendants after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

The case (FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024) had been filed by the Inspector-General of Police, accusing the defendants of assembling in a truck for a meeting allegedly related to terrorism. The prosecution claimed the gathering was intended to promote acts of illegality to “terrorize the people of Anambra.” These allegations were based on the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, under Section 12.

Justice Omotosho ruled in favor of the defendants’ no-case submission, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence linking the accused to the alleged terrorism charges. The judge noted that the prosecution had failed to provide the necessary proof, leading to the dismissal of the case.

This ruling is a significant legal victory for the accused and raises important questions about the evidentiary standards required in terrorism-related prosecutions in Nigeria.