In a legal victory for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seven fervent supporters of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have been released by the court. The decision comes with a staggering compensation of a total of N230 million in their favor.
This legal triumph is seen as a significant precursor to the much-anticipated Supreme Court judgment on Nnamdi Kanu’s case, scheduled for December 15.
IPOB’s legal representative, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, revealed that these individuals were unjustly held in various security agency detention facilities, facing various charges. The court, presided over by Justice M.O. Olajuwon, delivered a resounding verdict, dismissing all baseless allegations against Maria Ezediaro.
Maria Ezediaro’s ordeal began when she was arrested in February 2021 while visiting a detained friend in Imo State. Subsequently, she was subjected to inhumane treatment, torture, and degradation in Abuja’s “Abattoir” detention facility. Her release was finally granted in April 2022 after a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
Justice V.S. Gaba of the Federal Capital Territory’s High Court in Abuja also secured the release of Cletus Nwachukwu Egole, Ifeyinwa Egole, Michael Uba, Ugochukwu Samuel, and Raphael Idang, all arrested and paraded by the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police in March 2021. The court awarded them a remarkable N100 million in compensatory damages.
Similarly, Ngozichukwu Ada-Dav, who was unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police, has been set free by Justice Z.B. Abubakar of a Federal High Court in Abuja, with a compensation of N30 million. Ada-Dav’s harrowing experience in police custody led to a renewed fight for justice.
These rulings send a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental rights and justice in Nigeria. The courts’ decisive actions ensure that justice prevails, even in the face of adversity.
