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
Ex-VP Atiku Demands Independent Probe Of N17.5tn For Pipeline Security
Ex-VP Atiku demands independent probe of N17.5tn for pipeline security. Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent forensic audit of N17.5 trillion for the securing fuel pipelines and other related issues.
The former vice president, who described the figure as one of the most brazen financial scandals in the nation’s history, also called on the federal government to publish the full list of companies awarded these contracts.
Atiku, in a statement, also said the scope, deliverables, and duration of each contract should be disclosed just as further disbursement must be halted until accountability is established. He also charged the governor to explain to Nigerians how this expenditure aligns with national priorities at a time of unprecedented economic strangulation.
The former vice president was reacting to a report that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spent N17.5 trillion in just 12 months on “securing fuel pipelines and others.”
Reacting, the former vice president, while questioning the figure, said Nigeria spent roughly N18 trillion on fuel subsidy over a period of 12 years in a national programme that directly cushioned millions of Nigerians, stabilised the transport sector, and helped keep food prices manageable.
He however said under President Bola Tinubu, the country has now expended nearly the same amount in a single year on the same subsidy and opaque pipeline security contracts awarded to private firms tied to associates and cronies of the President.
Likening the president’s action to robbing Peter (Nigerians) to pay Paul (cronies), Atiku noted that it is not governance but a grand larceny dressed as public expenditure. “The Tinubu administration justified the removal of fuel subsidy by claiming the country could no longer afford it. Nigerians were told to tighten their belts, endure hardship, and “make sacrifices.”
“However, the same administration has now channelled ₦17.5 trillion — an amount that could transform Nigeria’s power sector, rebuild our refineries, or fund universal healthcare — into opaque security contracts whose beneficiaries are conveniently linked to those in power.
“In some places in the country, a litre of PMS goes for over N1,000 and the justification for this by the Tinubu administration is the wholesome removal of subsidy, yet according to the records provided by the NNPCL, this same administration has spentN7.13tn on what it calls, “energy-security cost to keep petrol prices stable”; another N8.67tn on what it calls “under-recovery.”
These two balablu nomenclatures: energy-cost and under-recovery are a new coinage of the Tinubu administration to deceive Nigerians on the government’s fraudulent claim that it was no longer paying subsidies on petroleum products.”
He further raised some posers for the Tinubu administration: “Who are the companies paid under these contracts? “What specifically justifies a 38.7 percent rise in the amount of energy-cost from N6.25tn in 2024 to N8.67tn in 2025?
“Why is pipeline security now more expensive than a decade-long subsidy that served over 200 million Nigerians? “Where are the audit reports, parliamentary oversight findings, and cost-validation documents?”
The former vice president said no administration that presides over this level of fiscal recklessness has the moral authority to demand sacrifice from its people.
He added that the Nigerian public cannot continue to suffer crushing inflation, punitive fuel prices, an unending collapse of the naira, and widespread hunger — only for a select circle of political allies to pocket trillions under the guise of “pipeline security.”
“This scandal confirms what Nigerians already know: the Tinubu administration did not end subsidy — it merely redirected public wealth from the entire nation to a privileged cartel anchored around the Presidency. “The government must, without delay: Publish the full list of companies awarded these contracts;
“Disclose the scope, deliverables, and duration of each contract.
Atiku
“Subject the entire ₦17.5 trillion expenditure to an independent forensic audit; Halt further disbursement until accountability is established. “Explain to Nigerians how this expenditure aligns with national priorities at a time of unprecedented economic strangulation.”
He said Nigerians deserve transparency, not deceit, adding that leadership isn’t about cronyism. He stressed that Nigerians deserve a government that places national interest above private enrichment.
“This ₦17.5 trillion pipeline-security expenditure is not merely a financial anomaly — it is a moral indictment on the Tinubu administration and a clarion call for full accountability,” he said.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
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