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
Police Begin Investigation Over Alleged Acid Attack On Teenager In Adamawa
Police begin investigation over alleged acid attack on teenager in Adamawa.The police command in Adamawa says it has commenced an investigation into a case of an alleged acid attack on a teenager, Walid Mohammed, in Yola South LGA.
The police command in Adamawa says it has commenced an investigation into a case of an alleged acid attack on a teenager, Walid Mohammed, in Yola South LGA.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Yola.
He said that the incident occurred on January 14, at Shagari quarters, when the suspect, one Idris Hamza, sprayed a substance suspected to be acid on the victim on his way to the mosque.
“On January 14, 2026, the victim, a 17-year-old, ran to the Shagari Division Headquarters in distress, that while on his way to mosque, he was sprayed with a substance suspected to be acidic by one Idris Hamza, a resident of Shagari, Yola South LGA.
Adamawa
“Following the report, the victim was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, while the alleged suspect was taken into custody,” he said.
Mr Nguroje said that police commissioner Dankombo Morris has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and conduct a thorough investigation.
Exchange Commission Partners Police To Tackle Illegal Scheme Operators, Crypto Fraudsters
Exchange Commission partners police to tackle illegal scheme operators, crypto fraudsters. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have forged an alliance against illegal scheme operators, investment frauds, and cryptocurrency frauds in a bid to protect the hard-earned savings and the financial dreams of the Nigerian people.
The director-general of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, stated this during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, held yesterday in Abuja.
Agama said the SEC, as the sentinel at the gate of Nigeria’s formal capital markets, had the mandate to protect investors, maintain fair, efficient, and transparent markets, and promote the growth of a vibrant economy built on trust, which is done by setting rules, licensing operators and market surveillance.
He, however, stated that the Commission faced adversaries who operate in the shadows, outside regulated gates by exploiting the trust of people and promising miraculous returns such as 200 per cent in 30 days.
“Currently, there is a gap, a seam between identification and enforcement that these scammers exploit. Today, we aim to close that gap permanently. Therefore, we propose a robust, institutionalised collaboration with the following pillars: Joint Intelligence and Operations Task Force: Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer; Streamlined Processes for Enforcement and National Public Awareness Campaign,” he stated.
The SEC DG advocated, “the establishment of a dedicated SEC-NPF team that combines market intelligence, forensic accounting, and understanding of complex financial schemes with investigative and intelligence-gathering capabilities. This team will be the rapid-response unit to new frauds.”
Agama also sought the permission of the IGP to go into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cyber Security Unit of the Police Force in a bid to ensure that cyberspace is safe for all Nigerians
In his response, the IGP Kayode Egbetokun assured the SEC team that the Nigerian police Force is ready to collaborate with the Commission, strengthen partnership in all the ways possible, and ensure that the Commission achieves its aims.
He said, “Your role in the Securities and Exchange Commission is very crucial to the Nigerian Economy, and with our supervision and support from the government, we will ensure economic recovery and growth. If the police unit in SEC is strengthened, it is going to make such an impact on your enforcement drive.
Exchange Commission Partners Police
What you said speaks so much to your determination to ensure effective drive in the Capital market, and when we can achieve effective enforcement, it comes with so many benefits.
Egbetokun also congratulated the Commission on the recent achievement of the N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, adding that it will aid economic growth and development.
Ogun Police To Probe ‘Assault’ On Portable In Custody
Ogun Police to probe ‘assault’ on Portable in custody. The Ogun state police command has ordered an investigation into a now-viral video depicting the controversial singer Portable being assaulted in custody.
In the footage, Portable is seen shirtless, handcuffed, and tearfully pleading while seated on a chair in what appears to be a police holding area.
There were rumours that he was beaten by police officers at the station where he was held. In the video, Portable could also be heard lamenting about being alone and having no one but God to turn to.
“My mum is late. It’s only God I have, I have no one else,” he said tearfully.
Reacting to the video via a statement, the command’s spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that Portable was in police custody over a “different issue”.
He, however, condemned the alleged assault shown in the footage, stressing that the police do not support mistreating suspects or exposing them publicly.
“Yes, he was arrested, and he is with us, but that is a different issue. What is important is the assault that was happening at the station,” he said.
Portable
“We don’t condone it. We don’t condone videoing suspects. We don’t even put suspects’ faces out. No matter who the suspect is, nobody should be treated in such a manner.”
Babaseyi added that an investigation has begun to identify the officers behind the act. He said any officer culpable would be handed over to the appropriate authorities.
“The investigation is ongoing, and the officers involved, if found culpable, will be sent to the appropriate authorities. That process has already started,” he said.
Portable’s arrest follows social media reports claiming that a petition was filed by Ashabi Simple, one of his baby mamas.
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