A group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra has taken legal action, urging the Supreme Court to overturn a previous Court of Appeal ruling that upheld its proscription and categorization as a terrorist organization.
The Court of Appeal had supported a decision made by Justice Abdu-Kafarati, the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who had proscribed IPOB and labeled it a terrorist group on January 18, 2018.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati had deemed all activities of IPOB illegal, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, asserting that the group posed a threat to national security.
In response, IPOB challenged this decision at the appeal court.
However, on January 30, 2025, a three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously upheld the legality of the Federal Government’s proscription of IPOB.
In the appeal, IPOB argued against the lower court’s declaration of the group as a national security threat and contended that its right to a fair hearing had been compromised.
IPOB emphasized that the process of proscribing and labeling it a terrorist organization violated constitutional provisions and the Court of Appeal had overstepped its jurisdiction.
The group also highlighted its right to self-determination, citing relevant human rights charters.
IPOB has filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking a reversal of the Court of Appeal’s judgment.