Crime
Just In: IPOB Takes Proscription Battle To Supreme Court
Just In: IPOB Takes Proscription Battle To Supreme Court
The Indigenous People of Biafra has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld its proscription and designation as a terrorist organisation.
It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal, in a judgment, upheld the decision of the Federal High Court proscribing IPOB and declaring it a terrorist organisation.
On January 18, 2018, the late Justice Abdu-Kafarati, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued a ruling proscribing IPOB.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati declared all IPOB activities illegal, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, stating that the group constituted a threat to national security.
He directed the Attorney General of the Federation to publish the proscription order in two national newspapers and an online platform.
Dissatisfied, IPOB challenged the High Court’s decision at the appellate court. However, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled on January 30, 2025, that the Federal Government acted lawfully in proscribing IPOB.
The appellate court, in its lead judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, held that IPOB’s activities posed a threat to Nigeria’s continued existence and the security of its citizens.
The appellate court dismissed IPOB’s appeal, describing it as unmeritorious.
Unrelenting, IPOB expressed dissatisfaction with the appellate court’s decision and filed a five-ground notice of appeal at the Supreme Court dated February 7, 2025.
The suit marked SC/CA/A/214/2018, lists the Attorney General of the Federation as the sole respondent and IPOB as the sole appellant.
In the appeal, IPOB argued that the lower court erred in law by declaring the group a threat to national security.
It also contended that the Court of Appeal erred in holding that national security concerns outweighed IPOB’s right to a fair hearing as provided under Sections 36(2) and 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
IPOB, through its counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, argued that the process by which it was proscribed and declared a terrorist organisation violated the provisions of the Constitution.
Ejimakor emphasised that under the Constitution, a period of emergency must be declared by the President pursuant to Section 305 for any restrictions on rights to apply.
The group further argued that the appellate court lacked the jurisdiction to declare a threat to national security or emergency as the basis for denying IPOB its constitutional right to a fair hearing.
IPOB contended that the Court of Appeal’s decision breached non-derogable provisions of the Constitution, particularly those prohibiting the imposition of disabilities or restrictions on individuals based on their ethnic group, place of origin, or political opinion.
IPOB
Citing Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, IPOB asserted its right to self-determination, stating that oppressed or colonised people have the right to free themselves.
“Colonised or oppressed people shall have the right to free themselves from the bonds of domination by resorting to any means recognised by the international community.”
IPOB also emphasised that the African Charter, which guarantees this right, is recognised as binding in Nigeria and other member states of the African Union.
In its relief, IPOB prayed the Supreme Court to allow the appeal and reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeal
EFCC: 32 Internet Fraudsters Jailed In Ibadan
EFCC: 32 internet fraudsters jailed in Ibadan. The Oyo State High Court and Federal High Court in Ibadan have convicted and sentenced 32 individuals for internet-related fraud. Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.S. Adeyemi, K.B. Olawoyin, G.A. Sunmonu, and Nkeonye Maha handed down various sentences after the convicts pleaded guilty to charges of impersonation and cybercrime.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Directorate, prosecuted the offenders on separate one-count charges. Sentences ranged from community service to prison terms, with some convicts given the option of fines.
Among the penalties:
– Some convicts received up to **two years in prison or were ordered to pay fines ranging from ₦30,000 to ₦500,000.
– Others were sentenced to community service without an option of fine.
– One convict, Adedara Ademola Ayobami, was ordered to refund ₦2.5 million to his victim.
EFCC
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of various assets recovered from the convicts to the federal government. These included money, phones, laptops, and several vehicles, such as Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla cars.
Kaduna Woman Drags 3 Neighbours To Sharia Court For Allegedly Calling Her Prostitute
Kaduna Woman drags 3 neighbours to Sharia court for allegedly calling her prostitute. Amiddle-aged woman, Shema’u Isma’il, on Wednesday, dragged three neighbours before a Sharia Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, for allegedly calling her a prostitute.
The complainant accused Halima Umar, Aisha Umar, and Bilkisu Umar for allegedly making defamatory remarks about her, particularly regarding her marital status.
“They said I am living alone despite being a married woman,” she told the court.
She further alleged that the defendants harass her nine-year-old son, scaring him away and beating him whenever he goes outside to play.
She pleaded, “We have tried to settle the matter at home, but they refuse to stop. I want this honourable court to intervene and grant me justice.’’ Ms Halima, mother of Aisha and Bilkisu, who spoke in their defence, denied the allegation.
Shari’a Court
She claimed that the complainant was the first to insult her children, calling them prostitutes, and they only retaliated. She also told the court that both the complainant’s son and her own children were underage.
The Judge, Kabir Muhammad asked the defendants whether they had witnesses, to which they responded in the affirmative.
The judge subsequently referred the case to the police for further investigation and adjourned the hearing until March 26.
FCT Police Eliminate Notorious Bandit Known As Dogo Saleh
FCT police eliminate notorious bandit known as Dogo Saleh. Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have killed a wanted terrorist, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Dogo Saleh, who was behind multiple attacks in Abuja communities.
In a statement on Wednesday, FCT Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh confirmed that the operation was part of an intensified counter-kidnapping effort to dismantle criminal networks operating along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway and within the FCT.
According to the statement, on March 3, 2025, officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit blocked key escape routes used by the gang.
Acting on intelligence from an arrested suspect, the operatives launched a high-risk operation on March 4, leading them to Kwasau Forest in Kaduna State, where the gang, led by Abdu Musa, alias Kanabaro, had a hideout.
Police
Upon arrival, the police team was ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free the suspect. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the criminals to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds.
During the crossfire, Dogo Saleh sustained fatal injuries from his own gang members. He was taken to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The police revealed that before his demise, Dogo and his gang had terrorized at least ten villages across the FCT.
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