By Twelve members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), detained since May 2021, were released on Thursday following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court. Their freedom marks a major legal victory after nearly four years in custody.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, IPOB’s legal counsel, confirmed their release in a statement on his Facebook page. He noted that the detainees were among 36 individuals arrested in 2021, with others already discharged and acquitted in earlier rulings.
Despite past court orders in their favor, the 12 remained in detention due to delays in enforcing the judgments. Their release came after the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) formally withdrew the latest charges against them.
Ejiofor described the development as “a long-overdue respect for the rule of law” and personally oversaw their release. He commended the prison authorities for promptly complying with the court’s directive.
He further stated that IPOB’s legal team remains committed to securing the freedom of other detained members, emphasizing that multiple High Court rulings had already acquitted them.
While 12 detainees have been freed, others remain in custody. Ejiofor, however, expressed optimism, declaring, “Justice may be delayed, but it shall not be denied. Freedom must prevail.
